Aberfeldy 1975-2001 26yo Cadenhead Chairman's Stock 57%

There is a house style that does not lose to sherry, and I was enchanted. Aberfeldy ABERFELDY 1975-2001 26yo CADENHEAD Chairmans Stock 57% one of 234 bottles, Sherry Hogshead The aroma is a robust sherry, coffee, bitter chocolate-covered orange, apricot jam, cinnamon cake, and spices/herbs like cloves. The palate starts with a smooth mouthfeel that gradually expands into a pleasant sherry sensation, which is surpassed by the rich honey-like depth. The malty umami of barley is clearly present, with a strong sweetness from jam and honey balanced by a tightening tannic finish. The aftertaste is extremely rich and long-lasting. 【Very Good/Excellent, Interesting】 This is a 26-year-old bottling from Cadenhead's Chairman's Stock, distilled from Aberfeldy in 1975 and bottled in 2001. While it lacks the noble, seductive nuances of 60s-era whisky, its aroma carries a refined yet assertive sherry character typical of the 70s. The elements are diverse, including concentrated fruits like apricot jam, tannic chocolate, and a variety of spices/herbs. The palate is powerful yet refined, with a surprisingly smooth and aromatic spread for its ABV. Despite the strong sherry influence, it is matched by a rich honey-like depth that represents the house style. The barley's umami remains, and the balance between the intense sweetness of jam/honey and the tightening tannins is exquisite. The finish was long and pleasant. Such a sherry-casked malt that retains its original house style character is rare. In this sense, it was a very moving malt. Aberfeldy's house style is indeed strong!