Tommy pours from the butt. Dram number five from the single malt whisky bucket list.

I'm not sure what is enlarging the fastest, my liver, my bulbous nose , my expanding waist or the bouquet of a freshly poured dram of Aberlour18 year old cask strength single malt whisky, dram number 5 of the single malt whisky bucket list. Like all Aberlour whiskies, this one is double matured in an ex- sherry butt and an ex- bourbon oak cask making for a very complex nose of floral, fruit and sweets. I had the privilege of bottling my own while visiting the Aberlour Distillery located at the junction of the River Lour and River Spey in the Speyside region of the Highlands in Scotland during a recent visit in 2009. This cask strength whisky is both fruity and sweet like toffee and butterscotch candy. Towards the finish the oak wood emerges along with flavors of honey, peaches, apricot and oranges. A butt and a cask make for an interesting combination but don't try this one alone at home. It should be shared with someone special. Slainte, Tommy Maaltman