2011 Aultmore, AD Rattray 12 yo 57.0%

A lovely balance of fruit and malt notes: there is peach, apple and pear set against oats and malt bread, then the vanilla-and-spice hallmark of fresh American oak, all capped by a salty finish. Aultmore is a contraction of the Gaelic for `big burn`, and the burn in question is the Auchinderran. Prized by blenders, Aultmore is rarely bottled as a single malt. You are much more likely to meet it (for instance) as the backbone of Dewar’s White Label. But given half a chance, it can shine on its own. (NT 05/07/24)