Single Malt Scotch 15+
 

Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Aged 15+ Years

 

The Tasting:
The Fifty Best held a “blind” tasting of 6 premium single malt scotch whiskies aged 15 years or more with a panel of 19 judges. Strict tasting rules were applied. The order of service was established beforehand by lottery. The single malts were poured into fresh glasses from new sealed bottles, and served at room temperature. Each of the single malt scotch whiskies were judged and scored separately. Only ice water, unflavored unsalted crackers and chips were available to cleanse the palate. Water droppers were provided to the judges for the option of adding water to the whiskies.

The judges wrote down their impressions of each product on score sheets. The scoring was done on a 5-point system, with 5 as the best. Double-Gold, Gold and Silver medals were awarded according to a set range of final point scores received from the judges. There were no Bronze medals awarded in this tasting. The tasting notes that follow are summaries of the judges’ opinions, with all replicated commentary eliminated.



Glen Moray Elgin Heritage Aged 15 yrs Single Malt Scotch



DOUBLE-GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Glen Moray Elgin Heritage Aged 15 yrs
(Speyside) American & Sherry Casks

Nose: Honey, dark fruit, green apple, gardenia, sandalwood, lilac, floral, nutmeg, grain, straw, soft wood, oak.
Palate: Toffee, caramel, creamy, buttery, honey, spicy vanilla, pineapple, citrus, apple, dark fruit, dried fruit, coconut, macchiato, cereal, grain, malty, floral, heather, chrysanthemum, spice, cinnamon, wood, oaky, smooth.
Finish: Honey, vanilla, orange, citrus, spicy, clove, clean, smooth, easy, very Speyside.


Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Aberlour 16 yrs Old
(Speyside) Double cask matured in traditional oak & sherry oak casks.

Nose: Butterscotch, caramel, clotted cream, vanilla, apricot, citrus, orange, coconut, cola, floral, spice, leather, briny, woody, sweet oak.
Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, creamy, honey, vanilla, dark fruit, orange, coconut, tomato, basil, spicy, anise, peppery, coffee, mineral, salty, oak, balanced, rich, complex, smooth, soft, mellow, easy-drinking.
Finish: Toffee, honey, orange peel, citrus, tropical, grain, spice, pepper, clove, oak, minerality, nice, soft, smooth, delicate.

Double Gold Medal
Double Gold medal



Aberlour 16 yrs Old Single Malt Scotch



The Dalmore Aged 15 yrs Single Malt Scotch



GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

The Dalmore Aged 15 yrs
(Highland) American oak & 3 styles of sherry oak casks.

Nose: Toffee, caramel, creamy, molasses, sugarcane, sugar cubes, maple, vanilla, honey graham, amaretto, nutty, cinnamon, floral, grassy, earthy, peat, ash, woody, oak.
Palate: Treacle, caramel, creamy, maple, cocoa, vanilla, honey, pineapple, banana, tangerine, citrus, dried fruit, raisins, coconut rum, nutmeg, savory herbs, moss, vegetal, tobacco, earthy, iodine, good minerality, woody, oak, smooth.
Finish: Honey, almonds, cocoa, grain, green tea, hint of spice, tobacco, woody, flavorful, mature, smooth, love the finish, elegant.

Gold Medal
Gold medal





Aberlour 18 Yrs. Old
(Speyside) Best selected oak casks.

Nose: Caramel, chocolate, honey, maple, vanilla, apple, pear, orange, dark fruit, raisin, floral, clove, tobacco, briny, iodine, sherry, oak.
Palate: Caramel, peanut caramel candy, honey, vanilla, vanilla cream, creamy, orange, citrus, dried fruit, raisins, grain, malty, toasted nuts, spice, cinnamon, black licorice, sherry, oak, smooth, refined.
Finish: Tropical fruit, citrus, dried apricot, raisins, figs, chocolate wafer cookies, toasted cereal, malt, creamy, clove, spice, oak, great texture, flavorful, savory.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



Aberlour 18 yrs. Old Single Malt Scotch



The Dalmore Aged 18 yrs Single Malt Scotch





The Dalmore Aged 18 yrs
(Highland) Matured in American white oak & bespoke Methusalem Oloroso sherry casks.

Nose: Toffee, treacle, honey, fruit preserve, orange peel, dates, dried figs, floral, almond, coffee, sherry, strong smoke, oaky, perfect.
Palate: Toffee, molasses, maple, vanilla candy, marshmallow, peaches, banana, red fruit, apple skin, dried fruit, dried prunes, floral, heather, grassy, basil, roasted almond, nutmeg, leather, oaky, cedar, mineral, smoky, rich, smooth.
Finish: Caramel, honey, vanilla, corn, nutty, spicy, port wine, charred wood, nice, bright, perfect.


Gold Medal
Gold medal



SILVER MEDAL WINNER

Glencadam Aged 15 yrs
(Highland) Unchillfiltered

Nose: Caramel, toffee, honey, vanilla, candied fruit, honeysuckle, mocha, mint, tarragon, cinnamon, complex mix of citrus and nuts, oak.
Palate: Vanilla, chocolate, candied fruit peaches, ripe banana, orange, citrus, figs, dried fruits, floral, mint, ginger, anise, basil, tarragon, peanuts, almond, mineral, light smoke, mild peat, oak.
Finish: Toffee, honey, raisin, grain, malty, cinnamon, oak, deep-dark, soft.


Silver Medal
Silver medal



Glencadam Aged 15 yrs Single Malt Scotch

 

 

 

 

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