Gordon & MacPhail is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Connoisseurs Choice range this year with the release of 37 new bottlings from 23 different distilleries. Some of them are over 30 years old and come in a special bottle and a wooden box. There are also three new entrants to the Discovery range.
After that wonderful Glen Elgin 1997 in the Connoisseurs Choice range, I’m particularly interested in similar first-fill sherry casks. So this Aberfeldy 1993 caught my attention (as well as that Mortlach 1987 above, which I will review shortly).
Aberfeldy 25 yo 1993 (58,8%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 2018, first-fill sherry puncheon #4054, 444 btl.)
Aberfeldy 25 yo 1993 (58,8%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 2018, first-fill sherry puncheon #4054, 444 btl.)Nose: bingo, again this very luscious and also fruity sherry character. Lots of redcurrants and blackberries, orange juice and blossoms and chocolate. Fresh figs. Spices like ginger, cinnamon and rose pepper. A little vanilla. Bright and clean, plus it becomes even nicer with water.
Mouth: similar thoughts. Very juicy sherry, although a little more on the dry side now. Leathery notes, dark chocolate and pepper. Hints of liquorice. Some hints of preserved cherries. Cloves. Some oak char.
Finish: long, with fruity echoes and chocolate but also lots of spices and medium tannins.
This is in line with the profile of the Glen Elgin, only with more mouth-coating dry notes on the palate. Water helps though, it makes the nose more aromatic and the palate fruitier. Already gone in some shops, but I think others may still be waiting for their allocation. Around € 185, recommended.
Score: 89/100