Aberlour 30 yo 1963 James MacArthur 55.2% vs Aberfeldy 17 yo 2002 / 2019 Distillery Special #20019 54.9%

Aberlour 30 yo 1963 James MacArthur 55.2%

Well. An old home with a bit of a tired staleness: Dried lemon slices, old books, old glue pots, dusty dirty paraffin candles. Oiled rusty metal, old cabinetry, Singer oil, manky black peppercorns. And on the tongue lots of dusty grain and a rather bold peppery heat. Old style for sure, but lacking complexity and not too convincing. 83 pts

Aberfeldy 17 yo 2002 / 2019 Distillery Special #20019 54.9%

Immediate. Sweet cream, honey, hay, poached yellow fruit, thick buttered toast, sugar glaze, museli, and malty horlicks. Fearsome on the tongue with the bracing sting of sharp sap, lances of peppermint, parsley and a bunch of fresh green herbs. Gradually turning dusty dry and malty. Clearly a strapping young malt with lots of fresh ex bourbon influence, again not too complex but well enjoyable. 86 pts