New Release: Aberfeldy 28 Year Old Official Bottling 40%

A superbly finished official long-aged malt. Aberfeldy ABERFELDY 28yo OB 40% The aroma features rich honey, a slightly liqueur-like orange, subtle plum, chocolate, and cream notes, along with a pleasant oakiness and vanilla, and a comforting barley character. The mouthfeel is soft and smooth, expanding into orange cream and honey sweetness, with a gentle oak finish. The aftertaste is warm and pleasant, though not overly long. [Very Good] A new official bottling from Aberfeldy, aged for 28 years. According to the label, it appears to be a blend of multiple first-fill casks, refill hogheads, and sherry butts. The house style's honey-like character is clearly present in both aroma and flavor, while a natural aging process that isn't overly pronounced gives the whisky an overall balanced profile. The aroma particularly showcases a diverse range of cask aging notes, a well-preserved barley character, and the harmonious integration of the house style, making it difficult to resist taking a sip. The finish is satisfying and delivers a variety of flavors typical of an official bottling, with honey sweetness balanced by oak tannins that don't overpower. The depth of flavor is impressive for its ABV, and the warmth adds to its drinkability, making it easy to enjoy multiple glasses. I believe this bottling likely uses naturally aged refill hogheads as a base, skillfully blended with stronger first-fill casks and sherry butts to achieve its well-balanced flavor profile. It's an exceptionally well-crafted vatting. While the 40% ABV provides sufficient body and depth, personally I would have preferred a slightly higher strength (43%) for even more complexity and richness. However, there's no doubt this is an outstanding bottling. Its approachable yet refined character feels like a natural extension of everyday drinking pleasure, making it a bottle I'd always want to have open at home.