Aberfeldy 15 Year Old Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Master Blender of the Year 2020, Stephanie Macleod continues her themed series of red wine matured malts. For this edition, she's given Aberfeldy a stint in casks that previously held Napa Valley Cabernet. Expect added notes of raspberry, cinnamon spice and coffee hovering above the distillery's sweet cereal profile. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Fruit greets the nose with fresh melon, sliced pear, and a hint of apricot marmalade. Eventually, vanilla pound cake, cinnamon stick, and tiramisu enter the picture. A decadent palate deliciously weaves together honey, just-ripe raspberries, cacao, and a dash of white pepper, making for a rich and winding ride. The finish goes on and on, with a squeeze of lemon and stewed pear capping it all off. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...Applying secondary aging to fifteen year single malt scotch is a delicate balance. While this expression is certainly wine forward, I can still appreciate the essential qualities of aged single malt in its back notes and finish. While cabernet sauvignon is an unusual finish for scotch, it feels like a natural extension of the time-tested qualities of sherry finishes.rnrnIn the end, this expression brings the rich intensity of a cabernet sauvignon and the delicate depth of an aged Highland single malt. I don’t expect this to convert the single malt purists, but if the combination sounds interesting to you, then I think it's definitely worth finding a bottle. - thewhiskeywash.com

It's hard not to laugh, to me at least. Apparently, someone's decided that it would be a good idea to finish a 15 yo Aberfeldy, probably just fine, in some 'Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks from the Napa Valley'. And French oak, I suppose.  I mean, beyond the tastes, imagine the carbon footprint. Do they then export this to San Francisco? To Sausalito's bourgeoisie, you say? Colour: apricot. Nose: naturally, they are not stupid (of course they aren't), you do not feel the red wine upfront, you rather get fruitcakes, dried apricots, then heather honey and, indeed, some strawberry jam and marshmallows. At this point, we're still fine (even if I'd love some regular Aberfeldy instead)… Mouth: starts okay, then falls apart, killed by red berries and oak spices. Blackcurrants, never such a good idea in whisky, if you ask this very humble little taster. Clafoutis, Mon Chéri, green pepper, leaves, cherry stems… Pass. Finish: medium, leafy, bitterish, some chocolate in the aftertaste kind of saves it, though. Those Mon Chéri again. Comments: it's not that it's utterly bad, it's that it's not needed. But then again and again, only one man's opinion. 79 points - whiskyfun.com