Aberlour Whisky Sample 11 Year Old Oloroso Distillery Exclusive 2022 Release (30ml, 49.4%)

Aberlour Whisky Sample 11 Year Old Oloroso Distillery Exclusive 2022 Release (30ml, 49.4%)

The Aberlour 11 Year Old Oloroso Distillery Exclusive (2022 Release) is a rich, assertive Speyside dram that trades the distillery’s usual "smooth and polished" vibe for something significantly more structural and intense.

Released in March 2022 at 49.4% ABV, this expression was matured exclusively in first-fill Oloroso sherry butts. It’s a "whisky geek’s" Aberlour—un-chill filtered, naturally colored, and bottled at a strength that allows the bold sherry spices to sing.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Dark and decadent. It opens with dark cherries, caramelized figs, and spiced red apples. There is a heavy confectionery layer of hazelnut praline and blueberry jam, but it’s anchored by savory notes of leather, antique wood, and ginger. A faint hint of clove and dunnage earthiness gives it a sophisticated, old-school feel.

Palate: Powerful and syrupy. The arrival is sweet with poached pears and orange marmalade, which quickly transitions into a more "adult" profile of dark chocolate, nutmeg, and stewed plums. Mid-palate, the Oloroso tannins provide a drying "grip," accompanied by black pepper and toasted oak.

Finish: Long, rich, and slightly dry. It lingers with roasted coffee beans, ginger spice, and a touch of orange pith. The final impression is one of warming oak and salted caramel.

Why it's special

• The First-Fill Purity: Most Aberlours (like the 12 or 16) use a mix of bourbon and sherry casks. This 11-year-old is 100% first-fill Oloroso, meaning the wood influence is fresh, vibrant, and packed with the spicy essential oils that refill casks often lose.

• The "A'bunadh" Alternative: For those who love the sherry profile of Aberlour A'bunadh but find the 60%+ ABV too aggressive, this 49.4% release is the perfect middle ground. It has the same DNA but is much more approachable and "tunable" with a drop of water.

• Distillery-Only Scarcity: This was never intended for global retail. It was part of a duo (released alongside an 11-year-old Bourbon cask version) as a reward for those making the pilgrimage to the distillery in 2022.

• The "Modern Macallan" Profile: Many tasters have noted that this specific release punchily mimics the "old-school" sherry profile of 1990s Macallan—earthy, savory, and less about "jam" and more about spice and structure.