Aultmore 12

Description

Aultmore 12 Years is another release in Dewars’ Last Great Malts lineup. It comes from a distillery that’s been quietly pumping out whisky in the central Speyside region of Scotland for over 100 years. Alexander Edward built it up in 1896 and he also owned Benrinnes. Meanwhile, he added Oban to his stable of distilleries just one year after Aultmore came online.

Like the rest of the Last Great Malts, save Aberfeldy, the Aultmore distillery has been primarily a source of single malt whisky used to make blends. Besides, it hasn’t had any regular OB releases to speak of. It’s an interesting play in today’s market for Dewar’s to release a new age-stated OB lineup. And it’ll be incredibly interesting to see how it all plays out and where they sit in the single malt market over the years. I wish them, and the whisky of the foggie moss, the best of luck!

Tasting Notes

Nose:  Malt, banana, dried fruit, vanilla and a light bit of tartness and waxy citrus peel. There’s a buttery undertone to it that adds a nice bit of dimension to overall aroma.

Palate:  Grassy hay, malt, dried fruit and light notes of chocolate, banana bread and tartness with an undertone of citric acid and honey.

Finish:  Medium fade of banana bread with a bit of sweetness & hay.

Balance:  Balance, medium body and an average whisky feel. Not hot, not watery, just present.

Overall:  Aultmore 12 Years isn’t incredibly deep, but what’s there is crisp and punchy. From the nose to the palate and through the finish. Being the first official bottling(OB) to come out of Aultmore in a while, this new baseline malt is a solid release.