Aberfeldy 25 Year Old (2023) 125th Anniversary
To celebrate the distillery's 125th anniversary in the heart of the Highlands, Aberfeldy has released a limited special edition. This 25-year-old single malt matured for over two decades in refill hogsheads and refill butts before receiving a finish of over a year in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. Bottled without chill-filtration and without added colour at 46% – a worthy anniversary tribute.
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Tasting Notes
Nose
The first impression is invitingly warm and welcoming. Immediately, the heather honey so typical of Aberfeldy dominates, but here in a noticeably riper, darker expression than in the younger bottlings. Behind it, wild strawberries and sun-kissed peaches unfold, seamlessly transitioning into a creamy caramel layer. With some air, fine notes of cocoa powder and cinnamon emerge, accompanied by a subtle yet noticeable Oloroso sweetness: dried dates and figs. The oak, after 25 years, is present but remains remarkably restrained, underpinning everything with a warm, spicy foundation.
Palate
On the palate, the Aberfeldy 25 reveals itself as full-bodied and velvety smooth. Ripe nectarines and strawberries form a fruity foundation, carried by a malty, almost sugared-porridge-like creaminess. The sherry cask influences bring vanilla cream and toasted almonds without ever becoming overbearing. In the background, a delicate coffee note shimmers through – like a hint of espresso in a dessert. The 46% gives the mouthfeel a pleasant substance, very welcome in a whisky of this maturity. Overall, a remarkably harmonious composition in which no single element takes the upper hand.
Finish
The finish is long and warming. Forest berries and caramel linger, while the oak now steps slightly more into the foreground, leaving a pleasantly dry, lightly tannic spice. Cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg accompany the conclusion, which slowly dissolves into a gentle honey sweetness. An aftertaste that invites you to pause and underscores the complexity of this whisky once more.
Thoughts
Marcel 87/100 - (Excellent)
The Aberfeldy 25 Year Old 125th Anniversary is a wonderfully cohesive package: the Oloroso finish elevates the already honey-sweet Highland character without overshadowing it. You feel those 25 years in every sip – in the depth, the creaminess, the endlessly long finish. Not a whisky that loudly demands attention, but one that quietly convinces and reveals a new facet with every nosing. A worthy anniversary indeed.
Sascha 86/100 - (Excellent)
With its balanced interplay between the distillery's natural honey sweetness and complex sherry influences, this 25-year-old Aberfeldy demonstrates how successful cask maturation and finishing can harmonise. The structure is precise, the aromatic diversity impressive, without ever veering into excess. Only the price tempers the enthusiasm – ambitious for what's offered, though not unusual in the segment of 25-year-olds.
Value for Money: 3/5 (Fair)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Aberfeldy 25 Year Old 125th Anniversary Edition special?
This limited special edition was bottled to mark the distillery's 125th anniversary. The whisky matured for over 25 years in refill hogsheads and refill butts and received a finish in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. It is bottled without chill-filtration and without added colour at 46%.
How does the Aberfeldy 25 Year Old compare to the Aberfeldy 12?
While the Aberfeldy 12 Year Old impresses as a mild, creamy entry-level dram with subtle honey tones, the 25-year-old reveals a significantly more complex and deeper flavour profile. The honey DNA remains intact but is enhanced many times over by ripe dried fruits, cocoa notes and the Oloroso sherry finish.
Is the Aberfeldy 25 Year Old worth its price?
At around €650 per litre, the Aberfeldy 25 Year Old is no bargain. However, compared to other 25-year-old Highland single malts, it sits within the usual range. The quality and complexity certainly justify the price for lovers of mature whiskies.
