Aber Falls Single Malt

Score: 62

In the “Distilleries 10 Years Old and Under" tasting, Aber Falls Single Malt emerged as a quietly confident dram, earning a solid 4 out of 6. Founded in 2017 on the windswept shores of the Menai Strait, the distillery taps pure spring water cascading from the Aber Falls waterfall and pairs it with 100 percent Welsh malted barley. Bottled at 40 percent ABV, this young expression marks the revival of North Wales’s whisky heritage, offering both a sense of place and approachability that beats many entry-level releases. On the nose, gentle waves of vanilla custard and soft toffee mingle with candied lemon peel and a fleeting hint of clove as the glass warms. The palate unfolds with creamy malt, sun-dried sultanas and raisin warmth framed by honeyed oak and a crisp whisper of green apple. The finish hangs back on dried fruits and honeysuckle-tinged oak spice, leaving a cozy warmth rather than a fiery blaze. Scoring 4/6 in our lineup reflects Aber Falls’s knack for balancing youthful vibrancy with unexpected depth. It sidesteps the harsh green edges common in many sub-ten-year bottlings, yet doesn’t overreach for bold spice or high-octane heat. Complexity reveals itself gently, rewarding patience and inviting another sip. For those charting Wales’s whisky renaissance, Aber Falls makes a compelling starting point. Try it alongside a coastal cheese board to accentuate its citrus-honey interplay, or craft a light highball to let its brighter fruit notes sing.