Tastings: Latest
SCOTLAND USA REST OF WORLD
Taster biographies
Phoebe Calver
After studying English and Journalism at university, Phoebe has turned her hand to writing for the drinks industry. She splits her time between the UK and US as editor of American Whisky Magazine and Whisky Magazine’s deputy editor.
Christopher Coates
A member of the team since 2013 and a keen whisky drinker long before that, Christopher appointed as editor of Whisky Magazine in 2020. Beyond this, he is head of content and marketing for this title’s parent company, a keen photographer and chair of judges for the World Whiskies Awards and the Independent Bottlers Challenge.
THE PROCESS
• All samples are blind tasted, with ABV, country/region and style the only information disclosed.
• Samples are tasted individually over a two week period.
• Tasters are provided tasting and scoring guidelines for consistency.
• The top scorer is awarded Editor’s Choice.
• Scores of 17+ receive a Recommended award.
Aberlour
Aberlour 14 Years Old Double Cask
CHIVAS BROTHERS
ABV: 40.0%
Style: Single Malt
Region: Speyside
Price per bottle:
Bottling: Distillery
Availability: Core range
SCOTLAND
Phoebe
Nose: Herbal notes, leaning towards tarragon with a little lemon zest. Tropical overripe fruit notes, moving into balsamic vinegar, pineapple and crumbly vanilla fudge.
Palate: Very light initially, yoghurt yeasty notes that remind me of a loaf of bread about to go into the oven. More of the tropical fruit, with pineapple, papaya, a hint of mascarpone and a tang of drying tannins and flinty minerality.
Finish: Short. Quite drying with a flinty note.
Comments: It’s interesting and I liked the combination of sweet and savoury.
7.9
Christopher
Nose: Stewed apples and toffee, a little liquorice, dried mango chunks and passion fruit yoghurt. Delicate balsamic and fresh strawberries, blueberries, and milk chocolate. Just a hint of cola cube.
Palate: Well rounded, medium body. The fruity notes are joined by milk chocolate, ginger biscuit, and yoghurt.
Finish: Medium-short, gently drying and ever so slightly mineralic.
Comments: Well integrated and clearly has seen the benefit of a good few years in cask. A
