A little bit of Welsh whisky action

We concentrate on scotches here at dramb, but not exclusively. And this week I find myself on the coast of North Wales, sharing a caravan with my family.

When travelling, wherever one goes, it’s always a good idea to try the local tipple. For Wales, Penderyn has been gaining accolades left and right since they established themselves, but I’ve never really developed a taste for it.¹I tried their first expression when it had only just come out, and they hadn’t got it quite right yet, and I wasn’t impressed. Aber Falls, though, is a distillery I know almost nothing about, but I’ve frequently found their whisky on special offer in the supermarket, and I’ve come to regard it as a reliable old standby—which is a pretty impressive feat in just eight years.

So, while wandering along Llandudno Pier the other day²At 700m, it’s Wales’ longest pier and the fifth longest in the UK!, as one does, I was pleased to find amongst the stalls a tiny little shop offering tasters. We had a quick swig of their gin, which I’m going to have to investigate more thoroughly in the future³Beautifully balanced and citrusy with some salty grapefruit notes, a great seaside gin., but naturally I was most interested in the whisky.

And they’ve got a new one! Just released, the new madeira cask finish is a bit of a departure for Aber Falls, and the lovely lassie in the shop was justifiably quite excited to show it off for me. And then I bought a bottle without hesitation.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Aber Falls tasting unless I could compare my new acquisition against their core spirit. Also, I’m British and thus genetically unable to ask for free stuff. Fortunately, the lassie in the shop gave me super-secret inside information on how to acquire Aber Falls at sale prices. Apparently, when you’re in Tescos and it doesn’t look like it’s available, ask anyway—it’s supposed to be available at Clubcard prices all the time, but Tescos might not make it obvious.

Fortunately (again), even that wasn’t necessary. We dropped into Sainsburys on the way back and the Nectar card offer was even cheaper than I’d seen it elsewhere. So now I have two excellent Welsh whiskies for a comparison tasting.

There is one further consideration when attempting a tasting session inna caravan on the north Welsh coast. The glassware in these caravans is never of what you might call the highest calibre. And I’ve recently discovered that I have sensory issues that require me to have a nice, chunky, heavy-based glass that I can hold properly. Sainsburys to the rescue once again.

This is why we have expense accounts, people.

So here’s a look at both of them:

Aber Falls single malt Welsh whisky

Salt and pepper with something spicy, like cardamom. Bourbon vanilla and a smokey hint, very subtle, from the wood. A sweet note of canned peaches in syrup.

Aber Falls single malt Madeira cask

It’s 7% higher ABV and it makes that very clear on the nose. The sweetness from the madeira just serves to exacerbate the spicy note, but there’s a really strong hint of candied, roasted hazelnuts.

I love them both of course, but while the core expression is an absolute banger for a supermarket special, the new madeira cask is something to break out on some sort of important occasion. Fortunately (again), I’m on holiday this week. Cheers.

Footnotes

• 1
  I tried their first expression when it had only just come out, and they hadn’t got it quite right yet, and I wasn’t impressed.
• 2
  At 700m, it’s Wales’ longest pier and the fifth longest in the UK!
• 3
  Beautifully balanced and citrusy with some salty grapefruit notes, a great seaside gin.