Scotland meets Argentina – without air miles, but with first class aromas in the whisky glass. Also thanks to a stopover in wine casks. The Aberfeldy 21 Years Malbec Wine Cask Finish is the latest high-flyer in the Wine Cask Finish series – read on to find out what’s behind it, what it tastes like and how to enjoy the adventure.
Do you sometimes find it so difficult to decide? My mood for pleasure is sometimes more picky than Sex and the City’s Carrie when it comes to choosing shoes. So it’s all the more exciting when there’s something that combines two of my quirks like the best superglue – wine and whisky. I’m not just a fan of beautiful vines, but also of spirits soundtracks. Taking my hat off the shelf and switching to Indiana Jones is simply fun. What adventure awaits behind the next glass, where does the next sip take you, what aroma or craft puzzles can you decipher?
Aberfeldy Wine Cask Series: the idea
And in the home bar context, the Wine Cask Finish series from the Scottish distillery Aberfeldy has attracted me time and time again. This is because it sends selected whiskies on a stopover in barrels that were previously used to store various top-class wines. I’ve already been on whisky departures in a glass, chilling in French Semillon white wine barrels or Cabernet barrels from Napa Valley. Every trip is different, every trip is exciting. Of course, this also has a corresponding ticket price, but the craft was fairly calculated in my opinion.
Now there has been a new landing destination for the Scottish distillery airport: Argentina. The Malbec Cask is the latest dancer from the Aberfeldy Wine Cask Finish series, and was allowed to mature in selected Malbec red wine casks.
Aberfeldy 21 Years Malbec Wine Cask Finish
The box of the Aberfeldy 21 Years Malbec Wine Cask Finish already shows where the journey is heading.
The Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish also focuses on the distillery’s typical honey notes. However, the Scottish roots of this whisky go on a date with specially selected Malbec wine casks made from French oak from the Argentinian winery Finca Ambrosia. And in keeping with the imaginary air miles – as well as the business class price of around 200 euros – this is a truly aromatic journey on an incredibly deep, fascinating journey where you always discover something new.
The idea behind the whisky and wine journey is explained again in the fold-out section inside the cover.
To make sure that nothing is missed on this adventure and that I take the right routes, Pierre Kruff, (Whisk(e)y Brand Ambassador Germany at Bacardi, has fortunately agreed to be my travel companion and ask a few questions about Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish, but also about his job.
Pierre Kruff (Whisk(e)y Brand Ambassador Germany bei Bacardi) in the interview
As a wine and whisky fan, what aromas do I recognize in this whisky?
The Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask is a real adventurer when it comes to flavors. The whisky combines the classic, warm notes of Aberfeldy – such as honey sweetness, soft vanilla and gentle oak aromas – with the unmistakable influences of the Malbec casks. Here you will encounter fruity notes of blackberries, plums and black cherries, complemented by finer nuances of cocoa, violet blossom, leather and sweet tobacco. Nosing reveals a mix of sweet, roasted cereals, a hint of herbs such as sage and rosemary and fruity accents of strawberries and blackcurrant, rounded off with Highland honey. Floral nuances such as rose and violet and a hint of cinnamon round off the experience before the whisky ends with a creamy, smooth finish.
As you can see, this whisky is not only a treat for the palate, but also a journey through a landscape full of flavors that are perfectly balanced and make every sip an experience.
Speaks Whisky fluenlently: Pierre Kruff, (Whisk(e)y Brand Ambassador Germany bei Bacardi).
If Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask were a movie or a series, which work would best describe it?
That’s a great question! I immediately think of “The Great Gatsby” from 2013, directed by Baz Luhrmann. The movie sparkles with opulence and elegance, just like this whisky. Both manage to create a multi-layered, almost magical world that completely captivates you. The Malbec cask maturation brings subtle fruitiness into play, which perfectly matches the intense emotions and passion that resonate in this film. It is this sophisticated mix of style and depth that makes Aberfeldy 21 and “The Great Gatsby” so incomparable.
What characteristic aromas can you recognize in Aberfeldy 21 Malbec that can be attributed to the Malbec barrels?
The Malbec casks contribute significantly to the unique taste of the Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish. They give the whisky fruity aromas of red berries such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries, as well as darker notes of blackberries and plums, which provide depth and complexity. Spicy nuances such as cinnamon and cloves as well as floral accents of violets and rose petals come from the interaction of the Malbec wine with the wood.
These aromas enter the whisky through a chemical process in which the wood of the cask releases wine aromas, fruit aromas and tannins into the whisky. During maturation, the whisky is also slowly oxidized, which rounds off the aromas and makes the whisky softer and fruitier. The alcohol in the whisky also releases vanilla and caramel notes from the wood, which complement the fruity Malbec flavors. The tannins in the wood provide a velvety texture and give the whisky a wonderful fullness. Overall, the interplay of wood, wine residue and the microclimate of the storage room ensures that the aromas are intensely and harmoniously transferred into the whisky – a true explosion of flavor that perfectly combines the character of Malbec and the gentle richness of Aberfeldy.
Cozy, but with a twist: the Malbec cask maturation brings subtle fruitiness to the Aberfeldy 21 Years Malbec Wine Cask Finish.
What makes Aberfeldy whisky so predestined to go into the cask? And how do you control the taste?
Aberfeldy single malt is naturally very balanced and round, which makes it perfect for cask maturation. It already has many harmonious basic notes in its base, which allow different types of cask – such as the wine finish – to harmonize wonderfully with it. Stephanie MacLeod, the Master Blender at Aberfeldy, has a special passion for good wine. She skillfully combines this passion with her many years of expertise in the craft of whisky, which enables her to steer the whisky in different directions. Her work has already resulted in many exceptional bottlings that perfectly underline the balance of Aberfeldy and develop new, complex aromas through barrel maturation.
Is there a special glass from which the Aberfeldy 21 Malbec is best enjoyed to experience the full flavor?
For me, the classic Glencairn nosing glass or a snifter remains the best choice when it comes to enjoying whisky properly. Both glasses are designed to concentrate the aromas perfectly and allow you to experience the full depth and complexity of the whisky. However, a few years ago, a fellow Ambassador introduced me to The Alchemist’s Tumbler – and it really won me over. It combines the functionality of a classic tasting glass with a modern, elegant look. No matter which glass you choose, the important thing is that you can enjoy the whisky in peace and fully savor its aromas.
Those who allow themselves to experience the full depth and complexity of the Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish will be rewarded with multi-faceted impressions and layers.
How important is curiosity in your job as a Brand Ambassador?
Curiosity is absolutely essential for me. As a Brand Ambassador, I must never lose sight of the brands around me – be it to recognize trends in the industry or to understand what is currently in demand on the market and among end consumers. I started this job as a whisky enthusiast and I want to do the same. I am passionate about experiencing the craft, culture and traditions of whisky with all my senses. Of course, it is important to be innovative and creative, but for me curiosity means above all immersing myself deeper and deeper in the subject matter. When I ordered my first specialist reading from authors such as Dave Broom or Charles MacLean, I knew: this goes beyond enthusiasm – I wanted to know everything. A real insider tip for anyone who also wants to acquire knowledge is The Distillation of Whisky 1927-1931 by James Eadie Ltd. in cooperation with experts such as Dave Broom and Alan Winchester. This work goes into the most diverse production processes and allows voices from the industry such as Alex Bruce, Francis Cuthbert and John Campbell to have their say. It is an incredible source of inspiration and knowledge – and shows how important it is to stay curious.
What makes spirits and whisky so fascinating for you?
For me, whisky is much more than just a spirit. This fascination has been with me since I was a child. I remember my father celebrating his whiskies – sniffing the glass for hours, discovering the aromas and then enjoying it with a devotion that left a deep impression on me. I inherited this passion from him. Not only did we taste my first whisky together, but we also got to know fascinating people from the whisky industry in Scotland.
Aberfeldy 21 Years Malbec Wine Cask Finish: how the Whisky adventure tastes
But now to the most important question: How does this bonus miles ticket between Scotland and Argentina taste? So I added another destination to the trip. The Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish was the perfect companion for the short trip to the Alte Backstube vacation apartment in the Ramsteinerhof in the Black Forest – my form of cuddly blanket, so to speak.
Sit back, enjoy and be surprised: For the Aberfeldy 21 year old Malbec Wine Cask Finish, you should take your time and muse.
Cozy winter nights in a remote Black Forest cottage are sweetened with a nice whisky finish, just like a baklava world championship. Sweet is also a good keyword – the typical notes of honey, which Aberfeldy stands for thanks to the distinctive stills, are once again the focus here. However, after more than two decades of maturation in sherry and bourbon barrels, completely new dance moves are unpacked through storage in specially selected Malbec wine barrels made from French oak over the last eight months. The carousel of thoughts switches into adventure mode, because the red wine cask provides unusually smooth, berry-vanilla-spicy-flattering vibes.
Pour, take out the long-distance glass: For me, this whisky was a thrilling journey of discovery.
Spicy start, silky finish: the Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish is a rollercoaster ride between classy and cozy.
The first contact with the nose: Red fruits, deep, intense, plum, raspberry and spices play ping pong with honey. It’s like one of those movie trailers that fortunately don’t spoil all the good scenes or jokes, but instead skillfully tease what you can expect – but also reserve the right to possible twists.
The first sip pushes me, a curious whisky Padawan, right into the imaginary movie theater chair. Allspice and pepper play lightsaber duel on an island of spices, slightly caramelized nuts jump in, it feels more heated, spice spreads – but as elegantly as if it were gliding along on a small X-fighter made of blackcurrant juice, cherry, vanilla and acidity. It immediately casts a spell, just like the Dark series, where you don’t have to understand everything to be captivated. Important: Let the Aberfeldy 21 Year Old Malbec Wine Cask Finish circulate nonchalantly in your mouth. Give it time. To yourself too, of course. Each sip feels like its own movie, its own episode, in which the wine notes in the background – without making a diva out of themselves – have the script well in hand. They don’t have to play a major role everywhere, they don’t always have to be on show, but they know exactly when the action is about to start again.
At the back, it feels like a nuts throwing a party with candied fruit chilling in a whirlpool of honey and fine red mulled wine. How much is reality TV or science fiction? Everyone simply has to experience the movie for themselves.
Every sip is almost a movie in itself. An absolute highlight for me and my home bar, where you learn a lot of new things yourself.
*with the kind support of Bacardi, Aberfeldy, Pierre Kruff and Minkus PR
