The second bottle from No Nonsense Whisky’s inaugural independent bottling adventure hails from Aberfeldy. Drawn from a 6 year old re-charred hogshead (#399) this release of 100 bottles has been delivered at a cask strength ABV of 59.8%. There’s still bottles left via Ooshkie for £45.
Nose: Fresh and breakfast-y. Sliced Granny Smith apples and Comice pears sit with milky breakfast cereals and a bag of muesli. In the background – damp oak joins delicate floralness from cut garden stems, whilst underlying chalkiness provides a diversion. The addition of water reveals an inherent creaminess with orchard fruits whipped together with Chantilly, set against rolled pasty and batter mix.
Taste: Impactful on the arrival. A rush of zesty lemon and chalky minerality transposes into vanilla sponge cake drizzled with honey. Cider apples and apple syrup join creamy toffee, whilst reeds and flax provide a supporting element of herbalness. Dilution results in a very pleasant re-composition where the character of the distillate speaks quite loudly – fudge, golden honey and nougat set against orchard fruits and sunflowers.
Finish: Medium in length with a fairly among of leafy character and a final tingle of pepper.
Out of the bottle this 6 year old Aberfeldy from No Nonsense Whisky provides some concentrated and expressive aromas and flavours – albeit still curbed by its youth and with a little bit too much punch for the profile. However, with some careful reduction (50% ish) there’s an agreeable fresh and refreshing whisky here that’s both true to its distillery roots whilst also being pretty tasty to boot.
Review sample provided by No Nonsense whisky