Aberfeldy 11 Year Old SMWS Crisp Surprise 60.49 Single Malt Whisky 57.1%

The initial impression was of a highly fragrant and aromatically complex dram. It had lots of green fruit sherbet notes, with ripe orchard fruits, chocolate limes, candied citrus rinds and red cola bottle sweeties. We also registered some firmer hints of starched linens and putty. With water we agreed it was still highly expressive. Various notes of heather flowers, sandalwood, cut grass, barley water and mossy tree bark were all noted. The neat palate was richly malty at first, with clear spiciness, hessian and more putty, before displaying intriguing notes of salt and vinegar crisps, grassy rapeseed oil and muddled parsley. Water revealed a more generous sweetness, with lots of pineapple in syrup, bubblegum, orgeat syrup and hints of tropical fruits. This was matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead for nine years before being transferred to a second fill French oak Jamaican rum barrique.