Name: Aultmore 12-Year-Old Single Malt
Color: Light Yellow
Nose: Fresh vanilla, honey, green grass
Taste: Apple, vanilla, green grass, barley
Review:
Aultmore 12-year-old Single Malt is a scotch that I purchased without trying before, so I gambled. Astor Wines recently had their spring cleaning scotch sale of 15% off so I bought a few bottles blind to treat myself.
The whisky is 100% malted barley, aged in ex-bourbon barrels, bottled at 46% abv, and the distillery is located in Keith, Banffshire (Speyside region of Scotland). The name Aultmore is derived from the Gaelic word Ant-Allt Mor which means “big burn”. The “big burn” refers to the water source the Auchinderran Burn. A “burn” is a spring or source of water.
Upon my first sip I immediately wondered if this was a start up distillery that outsourced its whisky or if it was used in a blended scotch. The bottle label was a bit too fancy for a new distillery. Aultmore is one of Dewar’s “Last Great Malts” expressions and some of the single malts are used in Dewar’s blending. The Last Great Malts are: Aberfeldy, The Deveron, Royal Blackla, and Craigellachie, and Aultmore. I am familiar with these scotches but have not tried all them. “Last Great Malts” sounds like a great marketing name.
Aultmore flavor profile is very good but it reminds me of another whisky that I am having trouble putting my finger on. I cannot really compare it to anything else, but for some reason I am reminded of the Bruchladdich Laddie, but that is a real stretch. I think my mind is comparing it more to its standalone flavor profile rather than their similarity.
Price around $85 and very good but I feel Aultmore is pushing its luck when you compare taste vs price with respect to age.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
If you like it, drink it!
