2015 Douglas Laing & Co. Provenance Aultmore 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

After a patchy history, Aultmore was sold to the Bacardi subsidiary, Dewars, which offered the first-ever official bottling in 2004. It's always intriguing to try Aultmore, even if it's become a little uncommon these days, especially via independents. The new-make carries a body and character that has a big impact on blends, and also accounts for why the whisky can be pretty intense, even feisty, well into middle age. Laing & Co. charged 385 bottles from one refill hogshead in September 2024. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Notes from the bottlers... Nose: Immediate dark chocolate, with stewed, dark fruits, especially plums and sultanas. Palate: Now chocolate fudge cake and vanilla ice cream, topped with maraschino cherries. Finish: Long and spicy, with sweet malt, cinnamon sticks and lasting peppery cloves.