Aberfeldy 14 Years Old 2011 Cask #5609 (G&M)

Distilled at Aberfeldy in 2011 and matured 14 years in a single first fill Oloroso sherry butt numbered 5609, bottled by Gordon & MacPhail in 2025 at cask strength 61.1%. Released under the Spirit of Scotland sub range, G&M's cask strength single cask programme that sits alongside the modern CC Cask Strength line but typically pushes higher strengths and works from the larger butt format. 604 bottles drawn from the cask.

Long fermentation Aberfeldy wash from the four still configuration, distilled in 2011 under John Dewar & Sons (Bacardi) ownership. Filled into a single sherry butt and aged 14 years at G&M's Elgin warehouses. Bottled at full cask strength 61.1% with no chill filtering and no caramel adjustment.

A first fill Oloroso butt across 14 years drives a heavy sherry signature even at this relatively young age. Melanoidins from prior sherry reduction in the staves contribute dark fruit and walnut, ellagitannins and gallic acid from European oak supply the tannin grip and bittersweet chocolate, and oxidative acetals develop walnut skin and aged Cognac. At 61.1% the ester load reads concentrated rather than diluted: Aberfeldy's ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate and heavier fusel alcohols drive a dense heather honey and beeswax base that supports the sherry weight without being smothered. The texture stays oily and the finish runs long on dark sugar and clove.