Aberlour Revisted
We’ve long been fans of the Aberlour malts. Way back when we got started, I gave John a bottle of Aberlour 15, which was finished in sherry casks, and he opined that the 15 was as good an example of sherry matured highland malt whisky as was generally available. I also recall sharing the 15 with G-Man as we smoked cigars at Turning Stone last summer, on the afternoon of Jessica’s wedding. So it’s been well recognized that the Aberlour 15 was a great whisky at an affordable price.
I have also, on occasion, sampled the 10, which is a fine everyday whisky. A full flavored highland malt, very reasonably priced, and just about right for the first drink when one arrives home after a particularly aggravating day at work. One of those days when everyone wants something by 5 o’clock, and when no one in the universe seems able to get through the day without soliciting your opinion on whatever it is they’re doing that afternoon. The phone has been ringing incessantly; everyone is in their offices, no one playing golf; everything needs to be done immediately. After one of those days, when you get home, a glass of Aberlour 10 is just about right. Also, this whisky can usually be found at the duty free store, in the convenient one-liter bottle.
More recently, Aberlour introduced a 12 year old malt, finished in sherry casks. It’s like a cross between their 10 and 15; not quite as smooth as the 15 was, but a very enjoyable whisky nonetheless. At $40, a good buy. But at $32, the price currently being charged at the New Hampshire state store, a steal. Now I don’t live in New Hampshire, or anywhere close to New Hampshire for that matter, but G-Man stopped by on his way back from Maine, and picked up a bottle at that ridiculous price; and of course, John lives only an hour away. A quick drive up 95, perhaps on the way to the butcher, and a chance to pick up some Aberlour 12 at bargain basement prices.
Once, I think it was at City Bar in the Lenox Hotel, John and I tasted the 16, but I cannot recall much about that whisky, probably because, by the time we had left downtown Boston that evening, after a couple hours at the Last Hurrah, I was lucky I could remember my middle name. In fact, we forgot to get the parking claim check from Susan, and had to pay the full 24 hour charge at the Pru parking garage. We practically needed a second mortgage to conclude that transaction.
Lastly, and most recently, I have been drinking Aberlour’s cask-strength whisky, the A’Bunadh. I tried this first at the Last Hurrah in Boston, and then at Keen’s in Manhattan, and loved it each time. At almost 60% (120 proof) it’s really too strong to drink without water. But watered down to around 40%, it’s terrific. Enormously flavorful, and very very smooth. Also, while I haven’t performed the calculations, when you consider that a bottle at 60% is the same as a bottle and a half at 40%, the price is only two-thirds of what is listed. In other words, another great buy.
So that’s an all around endorsement of Aberlour. We’ve had four of their whiskies (five if you count the single glass of 16), and have yet to be disappointed. Not only that, all four are bargains, certainly when compared to many better known labels. It’s now a staple in the cabinet.
I have also, on occasion, sampled the 10, which is a fine everyday whisky. A full flavored highland malt, very reasonably priced, and just about right for the first drink when one arrives home after a particularly aggravating day at work. One of those days when everyone wants something by 5 o’clock, and when no one in the universe seems able to get through the day without soliciting your opinion on whatever it is they’re doing that afternoon. The phone has been ringing incessantly; everyone is in their offices, no one playing golf; everything needs to be done immediately. After one of those days, when you get home, a glass of Aberlour 10 is just about right. Also, this whisky can usually be found at the duty free store, in the convenient one-liter bottle.
More recently, Aberlour introduced a 12 year old malt, finished in sherry casks. It’s like a cross between their 10 and 15; not quite as smooth as the 15 was, but a very enjoyable whisky nonetheless. At $40, a good buy. But at $32, the price currently being charged at the New Hampshire state store, a steal. Now I don’t live in New Hampshire, or anywhere close to New Hampshire for that matter, but G-Man stopped by on his way back from Maine, and picked up a bottle at that ridiculous price; and of course, John lives only an hour away. A quick drive up 95, perhaps on the way to the butcher, and a chance to pick up some Aberlour 12 at bargain basement prices.
Once, I think it was at City Bar in the Lenox Hotel, John and I tasted the 16, but I cannot recall much about that whisky, probably because, by the time we had left downtown Boston that evening, after a couple hours at the Last Hurrah, I was lucky I could remember my middle name. In fact, we forgot to get the parking claim check from Susan, and had to pay the full 24 hour charge at the Pru parking garage. We practically needed a second mortgage to conclude that transaction.
Lastly, and most recently, I have been drinking Aberlour’s cask-strength whisky, the A’Bunadh. I tried this first at the Last Hurrah in Boston, and then at Keen’s in Manhattan, and loved it each time. At almost 60% (120 proof) it’s really too strong to drink without water. But watered down to around 40%, it’s terrific. Enormously flavorful, and very very smooth. Also, while I haven’t performed the calculations, when you consider that a bottle at 60% is the same as a bottle and a half at 40%, the price is only two-thirds of what is listed. In other words, another great buy.
So that’s an all around endorsement of Aberlour. We’ve had four of their whiskies (five if you count the single glass of 16), and have yet to be disappointed. Not only that, all four are bargains, certainly when compared to many better known labels. It’s now a staple in the cabinet.
posted by pops | 5:20 PM
1 Comments:
Berg,
Great posting. I can say I would not have been drawn to Aberlour being a Islay snob if not for you (Good title for a song). Even after my first encounter at Turning Stone I was not convinced. It was the A'Bunadh at Keen's that got my attention. Then purchasing the 12 for $32 before our vacation on Chebeague Island in Maine hooked me. I had some help but the bottle was gone in 6 days. Very smooth and flavorful for a great price. I purchased 2 bottles on the return trip to NJ (1 to keep and 1 for you). We need to find a good price on the A'Bunadh.
As a side note to future travelers I found the NH Liquor Store to have a depleted selection. I hope this was a restocking problem and not a change in merchandising. This concern will not prevent me from stopping when ever I pass this store.
See you on the 29th.
G-Man
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