Aberfeldy Whisky Sample 18 Year Old Exceptional Cask Series 2020 Release (30ml, 43%)

Aberfeldy Whisky Sample 18 Year Old Exceptional Cask Series 2020 Release (30ml, 43%)

The exceptional cask series will timely available in the Whiskey House Hong Kong International Airport.

It spent a significant two years in Port pipes after its initial 16-year maturation, and it's often bottled at 43% ABV (though some single-cask variations in this series hit higher).

Tasting Notes

Nose: Instantly fruity and bright. It opens with tart summer berries (raspberries and redcurrants) and caramelized orange peel. Underneath the fruit, there is a lovely floral honey note and a whiff of dew-covered grass. It’s less 'brooding' than the sherry version and more 'vibrant.'

Palate: Rich, creamy, and sophisticated. The mouthfeel is defined by smooth caramel and clover honey. Then the Port takes over: ripe cherries, vanilla bean, and a dash of cinnamon. There is a darker twist mid-palate of dark chocolate and mahogany wood, but it never loses that bright berry lift.

Finish: Long and elegant. The sweetness fades into toasted oak and baking spices, leaving a final, silky trail of blackberry jam and soft tannins.

Why it's special

• The Two-Year "Double-Maturation": Most "finishes" in the Aberfeldy range (like the Pauillac or Côte Rôtie) only last 4–6 months. The fact that this Exceptional Cask spent two full years in Port wood means the spirit and the wine have truly married, rather than the wine just sitting on top of the malt.

• The "Exceptional Cask" Label: As mentioned before, this is the 'black label' tier. These aren't just seasonal batches; they are hand-picked barrels that Stephanie Macleod believes show a "superlative" quality that deviates from the house style.