Aberlour 12 Double Cask Matured Review

If I could only use one bottle to explain what sherry cask whisky tastes like to a newcomer, this might be it. It’s a Speyside malt that’s rich, sweet and soft, and it costs less than most of its famous rivals.

That’s a big claim, so let me explain how I got there.

What Double Cask means

Aberlour is on the River Spey, in the town of Aberlour, and was founded in 1879. It’s owned by Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard. The 12 Year Old Double Cask Matured is aged in two types of cask: traditional ex-bourbon oak and ex-sherry oak, with the two whiskies blended afterwards. The sherry casks give it its dark, sweet character.

It’s bottled at 40% in most markets and 43% in a few, so check your bottle. It’s the same distillery that makes the cask strength A’bunadh, but this is the gentle, everyday version.

In the glass

I tried it neat on a cold evening, and then with a drop of water. I expected something sherried and soft, and I was right on both counts.

Nose: dried fruit and toffee, with orange peel and a little spice. It smells rich and sweet, a bit like a fruit cake without the heaviness. No smoke at all.

Palate: rich and smooth. The sherry gives raisin and caramel, with soft oak underneath. It’s sweet without being sticky, and the body is fuller than you’d expect at 40%. It’s very easy to drink, and it’s the kind of whisky I’d reach for on a weeknight.

Finish: medium to long, warm and sweet. The dried fruit lingers nicely. A drop of water made it a bit more orange and a bit more spice, and ice kept it smooth without spoiling the flavour.

The Macallan comparison

The obvious rival is Macallan 12 Double Cask, which uses the same two-cask idea and costs more. To me, the Aberlour is just as good, with more fruit and less of the “premium brand” polish. If you’re buying for what’s in the glass, it’s the better deal.

Other sherried options include Glenfarclas 12 and Dalmore 12. Glenfarclas is a bit drier and more traditional. Dalmore is more orange-toned. The Aberlour is the sweetest and easiest of the group.

Value

A 70 cl bottle usually costs about £38 in the UK. That’s very good value for a sherried 12-year-old.

Who it is for

It’s for people who like rich, sweet, sherried whisky without any smoke. It’s also a great gift. If you want something dry or sharp, it may feel too soft.

A second glass

I poured another glass the next night, and the sweetness was even clearer. It’s a whisky that gets better when you’re relaxed. By the end of the glass I’d stopped noticing anything except that it tasted good, which is the best test I know.

Sharing it

I poured a measure for a friend who loves Macallan. She tasted both side by side. She preferred the Aberlour, and she said so with some annoyance, since she’d paid more for the other. That’s the kind of result that makes you smile.

Against my usual

Compared with Jameson, it’s much richer, with the dried fruit of the sherry casks. It’s smooth in a different way. Jameson is smooth and light. Aberlour is smooth and rich. I like both, and for a cold night, I’d go for the Aberlour.

One more thing

I kept the bottle on the shelf for a few weeks, and it never lost its charm. I’d say it’s one of the few whiskies I’ve tried that I’d be happy to see run out and be replaced. It’s very easy to love, and it’s easy on the wallet.

If someone asks me for a first sherried whisky, this is the one I’d hand them.

Pairing and serving

It’s also the sort of bottle I’d give to someone as a thank-you. The label looks good, the whisky is sweet and rich, and the price doesn’t make anyone feel awkward.

Last word

Aberlour 12 Double Cask Matured is, in my view, one of the best-value bottles on the shelf. I’d buy it again, I’d give it as a present, and I’d happily recommend it to anyone who likes sweet, sherried whisky.

Verdict

Yes. It’s one of the best-value bottles I’ve found, and I’d buy it again without any hesitation. I’d even choose it over Macallan.