Another bottle from the recent series of A.D. Rattray releases, a 28 years old Aultmore 1982. Two sister casks (#2216 and #2217) have been bottled for Bladnoch Forum in 2010.
Aultmore 28 yo 1982 (56,1%,
A.D. Rattray 2011, cask #2214, 150 btl.)
Aultmore 28 yo 1982 (56,1%,Nose: starts on hay and grass. A bit mashy and buttery as well, very natural I would say. Hints of lemongrass. Apple compote. Some milk chocolate. Whiffs of nutmeg. Water makes it slightly fragrant, even slightly soapy.
Mouth: a bit sharp (ginger, cloves) with a slight alcoholic punch at first. Growing bitter (lemon skin, grapefruit). The bitterness is enhanced by the woody notes. Liquorice. Seville oranges with a nice but slightly hot afterglow on vanilla. Softer and rounder with a few drops of water.
Finish: intense spices, vanilla and a chocolate coating.
This Aultmore has some good elements (fruity, firm spices) but also a few downsides (quite harsh and bitter). I suppose all is due to a (slightly over-)active cask. Not bad at all but I’ll pass because there are currently better releases on offer from this bottler in my opinion. Around € 100.
Score: 82/100