Whisky Review: Aultmore 12 years Single Malt Scotch

A good friend of mine (though I would never tell him I consider him as such, given my faux-British stiff-upper lip adoption caused by filling my teen years binging on Fawlty Towers, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin and Churchill documentaries) did gift me for my birthday a bottle of Aultmore 12 years Single Malt.

I had seen this bottle as a newcomer to the shelves of the local liquor store, but wasn't keen on buying a totally unknown commodity.  I mean who has heard of Aultmore?  I did a quick internet search and learned that this distillery is basically a source malt for what goes in Dewar's blended whisky.  Not the strongest lineage in the whisky world. I mean we all know about Highland Park, Macallan and others, but Aultmore?  The name sounds like a medical condition.  I can just imagine my near centenarian doctor with his bifocals low on the bridge of his beak as he peers at me with clear disdain and says with a hint of Lanchashire, "you've Aultmore of the privates m'boy and it has spread to the lower GI tract."

Not expensive, but not the cheapest 12 year old single malt.  It is priced moderately and does boast on its packaging non-chill filtration and no artificial colour.  Plus it weighs in at a hefty 46% ABV so that could augur some complexity of flavour or disaster.  As you know friend, only one way to find out.

Region
Speyside

Category
Single Malt

ABV
46%

Artificial Color?
No!

Chill filtration?
No!

Wood Management
Ex-Bourbon casks.  Not tasting any ex-sherry casks.  Don't believe any are used.

Nose (undiluted)
Floral notes of dandelion, roses, apple blossoms, honey sweetness and butter.  Very balanced and pleasing drawing you in again and again.

Palate (undiluted)
Powerful burst of graprefruit and pears.  Honey, fruit cup syrup (in a good way!), golden wheat, barley, vanilla, banana, English cream and custard.

Finish (undiluted)
Cream, lemons, sea salt, limes.  The flavors linger a long time!

Add Water?
Yeah, you could but you would rob yourself of the wonderful complexity of this single malt.  When you have no artificial color, no chill filtration and a higher ABV, that is a recipe for greater complexity and you get it here!

Peer Review
If you like Chivas Regal 12, 18, Dalwhinnie and Glenfiddich 15 Solera you are gonna love Aultmore 12.

Conclusion
Friend, I love this stuff!

It's affordable, non-chillfiltered, no artificial colour and a high ABV of 46%. All of these factors plus the Master Blender's tremendous talent in never letting this malt taste hot or fiery makes it a must buy.  Amazing that a whisky devoid of smoke, peat and sherry can be so good, but it is.  Put it on your list!  It's good for what ails you!  Especially if you contract Aultmore of the privates!

Cheers!



Jason Debly