
December 9, 2025

The Time Warp Sessions,today indie Aberlour, old vs recent

It's true that, for once, we're more used to official Aberlours than the rather rare independent ones. In any case, this time we'll have one of the seminal independent bottlings, followed by a much more recent version.

Aberlour-Glenlivet ‘As We Get It 100°Proof’ (57.3%, JG Thompson, Ian Macleod, Pure Malt, Cask Strength, +/-1990)

Frankly, the old-timers had a rather liberal way of converting 100° UK proof into G.L. degrees or % ABV, as we've already encountered ‘100° Proof’ at 56.9%, 57.0%, 57.1% and now, a fresh twist in this case, even at 57.3% Colour: white wine. Nose: fairly typical of this series, with not the faintest trace of sherry and rather brutal, all on freshly cut grass, small green apples and sour cherry juice, even some very artisanal kirsch. You can tell water will be essential, but that’s always been part of the charm of these ‘As We Get It’. With water: we’ve tamed this near-new-make a little, now bringing in some yellow fruits and a few biscuits. Prunes, apples and all that, then small touches of absinthe. Absinthe at 100° proof, of course. Mouth (neat): very brutal and bitter, on lemon peel, cologne, leather and turf. With water: there we go, almost civilised now, on lightly sweetened limoncello and apple-style quince eau-de-vie (less aromatic than the pear kind). The background remains rather bitter, nonetheless. Finish: fairly long and still quite austere. Lime. Comments: it hasn’t exactly rolled over, this wee Aberlour of the people, but that ultra-rural side is most charming.
SGP:371 - 81 points.

It’s probably going to be an easy match for the next one...

Aberlour 10 yo 2014/2025 (58.9%, James Eadie, first fill European oak oloroso sherry finish, cask #378484, 362 bottles)

The sherry finishing lasted 14 months here. Colour: gold. Nose: an intriguing start that’s ever so slightly medicinal, then earthier, then more walnut-led, including green walnuts, along with pipe tobacco and a wee hint of new leather. With water: not much development. Mouth: a big, bold ensemble with a sherry that's delightfully bitter and peppery upfront, soon joined by maraschino and nocino. With water: the fruits come tumbling in, though without shaking off a certain bitterness. Naturally, one thinks of Seville oranges. Finish: long, still nicely bitter and peppery. The citrus stands out more in the aftertaste. Comments: this is serious stuff! It does give the impression that the underlying malt was a bit like the As We Get It and that the sherry finishing has done a proper job, though without completely smoothing out the rather rugged edge.
SGP:461 - 85 points.

(Thanks Tom)

Check the index of all Aberlour we've tasted