Aberfeldy Exceptional Cask Series 9 Years Old 2014

Distilled at Aberfeldy in 2014 and matured 9 years across five sequential ex Bourbon casks (numbered 590005 through 590009), bottled by John Dewar & Sons in 2023 at cask strength 59.7% under the Exceptional Cask Series Small Batch for the Dutch specialist trade. 1,152 bottles in total. A markedly young Small Batch release at 9 years, well below the 15 to 24 year range that dominates the Small Batch catalogue. The 590xxx six digit cask numbering format places these in the distillery's newer post 2010 cask register, opened up as the modern single malt programme expanded.

Long fermentation Aberfeldy wash from the four still configuration, distilled in 2014 under John Dewar & Sons (Bacardi) ownership. Filled into five sequential ex Bourbon American oak casks and aged 9 years at the distillery's warehouses. Vatted for the Small Batch release and bottled at full cask strength 59.7% with no chill filtering and no caramel adjustment.

Nine years in ex Bourbon American oak at cask strength gives a primary spirit profile with the cask signature beginning to emerge but not yet dominant: vanillin from lignin breakdown sits at lower levels, cis whisky lactones contribute a light coconut and dill background, and hemicellulose breakdown supplies soft cereal sweetness. Aberfeldy's distillate character drives the centre at this age: ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate and heavier fusel alcohols build a bright heather honey and beeswax core, with 59.7% holding the orchard fruit ester profile (apple, pear, citrus) on the nose and oily texture on the palate.