Nose: Cocoa powder powers in first with lemon zest and freshly squeezed lime hot on its tail. Then arrives a duet of caramel and malt forming a leathery aroma that quite frankly belies this dram's years. Beneath this strong introduction lies a bed of mingling spice and roasting cocoa beans.
Palate: At first rich dried fruits stewing in cognac greet the palate but then come higher notes of grapefruit, champagne truffles and subtle oak chased by sugar syrup and orange liqueur.
Finish: Soft leather and earth with a dusting of white pepper, ultimately incredibly smooth by any whisky's standards let alone one of this age.
Overall: This whisky boasts a symphony of aroma and flavour coupled with a long, drawn out finish that delights the palate. Surprisingly the high strength of this malt is well integrated into the balance of the drink, allowing minimal addition of water if so desired. Truly astounding stuff.
In 2012, the Aultmore 5 Year Old Single Cask from Master of Malt was awarded a Bronze medal by both the Malt Maniacs Awards and the Wizards of Whisky Awards.
