A CLOUD OF FRUITS – Score: 7.5/10
Aberfeldy, today under the distinguished ownership of the Bacardi group, stands as one of the emblematic single malts of the Scottish Highlands. It is notably the foundation of the well-known Dewar’s blend, a whisky that owes its name to the pioneering founders of the distillery, who originally crafted this spirit to enrich and define the signature character of their blend.
In our beloved establishment in Edinburgh, a true sanctuary for enthusiasts of refined spirits, we have chosen to highlight this remarkable bottling from the esteemed house of Gordon & MacPhail, celebrated for its legendary series “Connoisseurs Choice.” The bottle in question is an Aberfeldy distilled in 1970 and aged for seventeen years, matured — as was customary during that golden age — in a carefully selected bourbon cask. This maturation allows the whisky to develop a remarkable roundness and a gentle sweetness, all while preserving the distinctive freshness for which the distillery is known.
Every hallmark of Aberfeldy’s style is faithfully rendered: aromas of candied fruit, acacia honey, and a delicate breath of fresh mint rise gracefully from the glass. The palate is generous, elegant, and harmonious, offering a sensory experience that is at once comforting and refined, even if the overall complexity does not quite reach the heights of the greatest Highland malts.
Ultimately, this whisky appeals less to those in search of layered sophistication than to lovers of memory and heritage. What we savour most here is a touch of nostalgia — the quiet echo of another era, when craftsmanship spoke with simplicity and authenticity. One pays, perhaps, more for emotion than for taste — but it is a price gladly offered for a journey back in time.
