Aberlour 12 years Double Cask Matured

Score: 67

Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Matured felt surprisingly timid at its 40 percent ABV, almost as if the spirit had been watered back too far after ten-plus years in American oak and sherry butts. The nose hinted at orchard fruits and soft toffee, but on the palate those promises slipped away, leaving a thin, almost hollow sweetness that never quite found firmer footing. Several members noted it “floats by without a trace” and wondered whether the ‘double cask’ name should carry more weight—literally. The finish was polite, a faint echo of honeyed oak and gentle pepper, yet lacked the warmth or depth the group looks for in a signature 12-year-old. Ultimately, while the whisky remained balanced and easygoing, the club found its low proof more of a detriment than a doorway to subtlety, and it missed the mark on the punch and character we crave. Its an ok beginner whisky to introduce your mother-in-law to.