The last whisky in this week’s run of Scotch reviews is the 2000 Connoisseur’s Choice Aultmore. Which, like many of the single malts I’m going through lately, originally made its debut at a Malt Nuts tasting. This one a Malt Nuts Aultmore tasting from 2015.
If you’re wondering why the sudden focus on these bottles it’s two-fold. First, we cover some lesser-talked-about distilleries in Malt Nuts and I want to keep bringing them up to give you ideas of things you might want to explore, or not, when you’re at the liquor store. My hope is that if you read this one of two things happen.
This sounds like something you’d enjoy so when you see one you pick it up and maybe find something new your enjoy. Or. You read this, it sounds like it wouldn’t fit into your wheelhouse and so you don’t waste money on something you don’t enjoy. Expanding your exploration or saving you money, I’m happy either way.
The second reason I’m going through some of these older bottles is because of this damn Pandemic. It has me looking at my shelves every day and every night and I’ve realized I need to kill things off and reduce the bottle clutter that’s slowly built up over the years. Anyways, enough chat, time to dig in and see what’s going on with this Scotch.
“This particular expression from Aultmore Distillery was matured in Refill Sherry Hogsheads. The whisky has herbal and dried fruit aromas with hints of charred oak. On the palate there is a delicate fruitiness with spices and a touch so oiled wood.” – G&M
2000 Connoisseur’s Choice Aultmore – Whisky Details and Tasting Notes
Whisky Details
Region: Speyside
Distiller: Aultmore
Bottler: Gordon and Macphail
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Refill Sherry Hogsheads
Age: ~13 Years (2000 – 2013)
ABV: 46%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (~$50 when purchased)
Tasting Notes
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Heavy maltiness and dried orchard fruits with some soft, floral, honeysuckle, and lemony citrus notes with some wisps of caramel and vanilla.
PALATE
Heavy graham-cracker-like malt and banana-lead fruitiness with lighter notes of crusty bread, citrus zest and caramel.
FINISH
Medium –> Malt, caramel, fruity taffy and oak.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, medium body and a light, almost watery, feel.
2000 Connoisseur’s Choice Aultmore – Final Thoughts and Score
Aroma comes out swinging with a big punch of malt and dried fruits that tow in some lighter sweeter notes; Palate follows along in almost the exact same path but with more of a banana chips fruitiness than an orchard fruitiness; Finish is quite nice and hits a great balance with the oak coming through so much.
The best Aultmore I’ve had was that sherry bomb Sovereign 9 yo Aultmore from a couple of years ago, but this… this ain’t bad. In the queue I have a 1996 Connoisseur’s Choice Glen Elgin that’s also held up amazingly well over 5 1/2 years thanks to using wine preserver. But like the Glen Elgin, this 2000 Connoisseur’s Choice Aultmore has changed since opening – though entirely for the better. Makes me wish I had a back up of this… especially at 2015 prices!
SCORE: 3/5
2000 Connoisseur's Choice Aultmore Review $50
Overall
3- Nose (3)
- Palate (3)
- Finish (3)
- BBF (3)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Summary
This is a delicious Aultmore that comes through with a heavy malty profile that doesn’t overwhelm, but more acts like a plate for all the other notes to be served and enjoyed on.
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