Aberfeldy sits in the Perthshire Highlands, drawing its water from the Pitilie Burn and building a house style around honeyed, gently waxy single malt. This 18 year old release takes that familiar character and gives it a second act, finishing whisky drawn from refill casks and hogsheads in barrels that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.
Fifteen months in those red wine barrels layers dark fruit over the distillery's honeyed core. The nose leans into blackberry and raspberry with vanilla, orchard fruit and a touch of oak, while the palate turns richer again with dark cherry, plum and honey wrapped in toasted oak, cocoa and a soft dusting of spice. The texture is velvety rather than heavy.
The finish is long and warming, fruit and gentle spice fading slowly into oak. A rewarding Highland malt to sit with after dinner.