Next up from my Whisky Auctions bottle was an Aultmore from 2000. It was the perfect progression from the lovely Lowland Glenkinchie 10 year…  Over the years, I’ve encountered a few rather yummy Aultmore’s so I had high hopes for this one too!

We didn’t get off to a good start… Before we could even get the whisky in the glass, we had a small challenge with the cork crumbling! Now… to be fair, this bottle had some 15 years of waiting before being opened for our tasting, so it wasn’t a complete shocker. Whilst I have a habit of periodically turning my bottles upside down to wet the cork and sometimes even sealing the top with parafin, as an auction purchase, I have no clue how it was stored. Instead of getting upset, we simply used it as an excuse to decant and dive in!

So… what did we discover?

Aultmore 9 year Provenance (Autumn 2000 / Spring 2010) Sherry Cask No 6211 46.8% (Douglas McGibbon & Co. Ltd)

• Nose – Sour cherry, becoming increasingly fruity the longer it was in the glass, creamy vanilla, such a dessert dram! Moist carrot muffin with cream cheese icing, apricots, ice cream soda, topped with a warm caramel custard – yum!
• Palate – Soft, fruity, balanced with a wonderful mouthfeel, more of that dessert dram quality!
• Finish – Light spice
• Water – I didn’t think it needed it, however, when added, I’m so glad that I did! It brought so much more – augmenting and marrying the various elements together even more beautifully

There was little doubt this dram hit the spot. Many returned to it over and over to accompany their cigars later in the evening. I managed to snag a bit to bring home and found it got even better with a little oxidation. I’m sure what remained in the decanter must be a most enjoyable dram!

Tasting notes were shared on the label:

Distinctly spicy and sweet as it opens – then more of a macerated fruit content comes through with more spice all on the nose. The palate is more Sherried than the colour suggests – being sweet, smooth and rather fruity – even with some light camphor and late dulcet barley sugar. The finish replicates the palate nicely.

What about other Aultmore experiences?

• Aultmore 5 year (2007/2012) 66.8% (Master of Malt) & Sep’17
• Aultmore 10 year 43% (G&MP)
• Aultmore 12 year 46%
• Aultmore 13 year old (2023) Batch 18, 50% TBWC Cinema
• Aultmore 14 year (2000/2014) 46% (G&MP) & Nov’17
• Aultmore 18 year ‘Foggie Moss’ 46%

Yet again, we thoroughly enjoyed this expression and were ready for the next whisky!

• Glenkinchie 10 year (~late 1990s) 43% OB – A delightful reminder that a classic Lowland whisky shouldn’t be missed!
• Balblair 16 year (Spring 2025) hogshead 55.8% (Chorlton) – A beautiful expression in a beautiful bottle!
• Craigallachie 17 year (Jun 2008 / 25 Aug 2025) Madeira Wine Cask No 7547103 54% (Duncan Taylor – Octave) – What a marvel!

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