
November 4, 2026

WF's Little Duos, today sherried Aberlour OB vs. IB

Nothing to add, let’s just hope we come across those extravagant orchard fruits so typical of Aberlour when it isn’t too heavily marked by sherry…

Aberlour 12 yo 2014/2026 (59.6%, Signatory Vintage, Cask Strength Collection, LMDW Anthologie, 1st fill oloroso butt, cask #3, 650 bottles)

Aberlour 12 yo 2014/2026 (59.6%, Signatory Vintage, Cask Strength Collection, LMDW Anthologie, 1st fill oloroso butt, cask #3, 650 bottles)
Well, so much for that. Signatory have been doing a lot of sherry in recent years, generally with great success. It must be said that they know a thing or two about wine as well, and don’t spell Mourvèdre with an S, as in ‘Mourvèdres’, or Sauternes without one, as in ‘Sauterne’. Both spotted on Islay, but out of pure charity we shall refrain from naming the brand responsible for these two little blunders. Colour: amber. Nose: peppery chocolate, kirsch, touches of geranium flowers and mocha. And a fair amount of ethanol, naturally. With water: softer and gentler, the kirsch turning into candied cherries, although the kirsch’s almondy side remains, while the pepper gives way to fir buds. Mouth (neat): much punchier than expected. Kirsch, green pepper and blood oranges. Clears the airways a little, which is useful at this time of year. With water: it becomes almost delicate, with touches of woodruff, while the oranges now come rolling in, along with some lightly peppered orange marmalade. Finish: long, more bitter, with very dark chocolate, mocha and a touch of triple sec to round everything off again. Comments: as dry as the driest of… sherries. No wonder. Excellent, somewhat along the lines of certain batches of A’bunadh. Hardly a bad reference, then.
SGP:461 - 86 points.

Aberlour 15 yo 2010/2026 (63%, OB for LMDW The Anthologists, 1st fill sherry cask, cask #91958, 474 bottles)

We could be very close here, let’s see… Colour: amber. Nose: indeed, we’re very close, only this is a little softer and rounder, despite the higher strength. Crème brûlée, walnut cake, kougelhopf and panettone (nearly the season, hurrah!), followed by roasted chestnuts. A lovely nose, despite the, ahem, 63%. With water: artisan kirsch-flavoured marzipan and dark turrón, two favourites at WF Towers. Mouth (neat): the cherries, buds and peppers are back, but the alcohol seems to be holding the rest in check for now. With water: very good, everything relaxes, although the cherries and peppers continue to rule the roost, with a slightly saline sherry character suggesting a blend of fino and oloroso, or perhaps palo cortado. Finish: long, on bitter chocolate and cherry pipe tobacco. We used to smoke that as student, it was called Borkum Riff Sherry Cavendish. Not necessarily a recommendation… Comments: lovely sherry, very much… A’bunadh from the best batches. We’ve come full circle.
SGP:561 - 88 points.

Check the index of all Aberlour we've tasted