After the split of Douglas Laing in May 2013, with both brothers going their own way, there are now two companies Douglas Laing (Fred + daughter) and Hunter Laing (Stewart + sons). The popular Old Malt Cask range is part of the Hunter Laing portfolio.
This Aberlour 2000 was actually bottled before the breakup.
Aberlour 12 yo 2000
(50%, Douglas Laing ‘Old Malt Cask’ 2013, refill hogshead, ref. 9340, 312 btl.)
Aberlour 12 yo 2000Nose: juicy barley, with a few gristy and mineral notes and plenty of apples and pears. Sweet cereals. Light heather honey. Yellow raisins. Hints of vanilla cream. A pretty standard, fresh and modern nose for a young and bourbon matured Speysider.
Mouth: really sweet, lots of marzipan and cooked fruits at first. Melon and honey. Quickly joined by café latte notes and brown candy sugar. A little toffee. Hints of coffee sweets. Still some mineral / waxy notes. Fades on citrus zest and herbs, with a peppery edge.
Finish: quite long, zesty, with a slight herbal bitterness and liquorice.
I think the switch from bright, fruity notes on the nose to sweet latte and coffee sweets on the palate was really nice. Overall youngish but quite enjoyable. Around € 60.
Score: 86/100