Aberlour Glenlivet 12 Years Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Speyside

Brand: Aberlour Glenlivet OB from the 1970's 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  12 Years

ABV: 40 %

Date: 14/12/2013

Sample Provided by Marcus from Germany. Thanks!

Colour: Orange Liqueur

Nose: This Aberlour does not give away its Aromas very easily. You got to give it some time. Sherry, Coconut, Malt and Caramel are there right from the start accompanied by a Vegetable tone I could do without. It reminds me of Cooked Potatoes. After a while I also find light Oak, Raisins soaked in Rum, Walnuts, Vanilla, Buttered Toast and hints of Leather, Dried Apricots, Cinnamon and Black Espresso.    

Palate: A higher ABV of around 46% would have helped the delivery of this Aberlour. As it is, I find this Single Malt Quite Dry, slightly Bitter and a bit Thin on the Palate. The Sherry is still there of course along with assorted Dried Fruits and Nuts, light Oak, Vanilla, Toffee, Orange, light Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger and light Alcohol. 

Finish: Quite short with some Orange, Mandarin, Almonds, Pepper, Nutmeg, Dried Fruits, Nuts and a touch of Vanilla.

I added a little Water and that enhances the Dried Fruits on the Nose. But Palate and Finish do not benefit from added Water. Better sip it neat!

Rating: 82.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5 

The Origin of the Sample!

General Remarks: Speyside Single Malts that were bottled in the 1970's and 1980's  often used the addition Glenlivet. This doesn't always mean that the whisky was distilled at The Glenlivet. It could also be a mere reference to the region where the spirit was produced. Quite confusing if you ask me! The Aberlour distillery as we know it today was constructed in 1899 by Charles Doig. Earlier buildings were destroyed twice by fire, respectively in 1879 and 1898. Aberlour is currently owned by Chivas Brothers Ltd, part of the Pernod Ricard Group. You can occasionally find this Single Malt via auctions on the Internet. It sells at around 80 US Dollars.  

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: I was slightly disappointed with this Single Malt. I think it would have benefited from an extra couple of years in the Cask and it certainly would have improved when bottled at a higher ABV. The Nose is the best part with some nice Sherry tones. I didn't like the Vegetable note but that could just be me! On the Palate and in the Finish I would have liked to find a bit more Power and Punch. Don't get me wrong, this Aberlour is certainly not a bad Single Malt. But I don't think I will remember it tomorrow! 

Jan van den Ende                                                       December 2013

Knappogue 12 Years Review

Country: Ireland

Brand: Knappogue Castle

Type: Single Malt Whiskey 

Age: 12 Years

ABV: 40 %

Sample Provided By: Derek, USA. Thanks!  

Date: 12/12/2013

Colour: Pale Gold

Nose: Crisp and Clean as could be expected from a Triple-Distilled Whiskey. Lots of Cereals, Vanilla, Coconut, light Oak, Honey, Mandarin, Banana, Butter-scotch and a hint of Cinnamon. The Alcohol is not yet fully integrated.

Palate: Sweet, Fruity and slightly Thin with Vanilla, Coconut, Banana, Pineapple, Caramel, Milk Chocolate, Butterscotch, light Oak, Cinnamon, Grains and some Floral Tones.

Finish: Middle-Long. Sweet at first but Dry towards the end with Vanilla, Honey, Butterscotch, Sweet Barley, Banana Ice Cream, light Oak and light Spices like Pepper and Cinnamon.

No need to add Water to the Knappogue Castle 12 Years.   

Rating: 84

Nose: 21 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: In the 1960's an American by the name of Mark Edwin Andrews started to buy Pot Still Whiskey from Irish Distilleries. This Independent Bottler aged these spirits and bottled them under the Brand Name " Knappogue Castle", named after the Irish Castle that he owned. The 1951 is the oldest expression matured by Mark Edwin Andrews that is still available. Today the Brand Name is owned by Castle Brands Inc., established in 1998 by the founders son Mark. This company also owns Brand Names like Gosling's Rum and Jefferson's Bourbon. Traditionally, the Knappogue Castle spirits were all vintage expressions. But in 2010 the company launched the Standard 12 Years. This Whiskey only contains Malted Barley, ages in Ex-Bourbon Casks, is naturally Coloured and only lightly Chill-Filtered. The Knappogue is Triple-Distilled, most likely at Bushmills. It sells at around 40 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Let me start by saying that the Knapogue 12 years is utterly drinkable. I also think that the Nose is richer than your average Irish Whiskey! But on the Palate and in the Finish it reminds me more of a Fruit Liqueur. The Banana feel is really strong throughout. If that's your flavour profile, you will love this whiskey. It seems a perfect starting whiskey for people who generally feel that the taste of whisk(e)y is too strong. In short, a well made Single Malt with a Fruity and Amiable Flavour Profile. But not exactly what I'm looking for in a Whisk(e)y!

Jan van den Ende                                                       December 2013