Duncan Taylor The Octave Aberlour 31 Year Old 1988 #3325593

Duncan Taylor The Octave Aberlour 31 Year Old is an exceptionally mature Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky distilled at Aberlour Distillery in 1988 and bottled by Duncan Taylor in 2019. Matured for 31 years in oak and given additional maturation in one of Duncan Taylor’s small Octave casks, this single-cask release was bottled at 48.3% ABV. Long maturation gives the whisky a developed profile of mature fruit, honeyed malt, vanilla, dried fruit and seasoned oak, while the Octave treatment adds further depth and concentration.

Food Pairing: Aged cheddar, roasted nuts, fruit cake, crème brûlée, dark chocolate or dried fruits.

Tasting Notes: Mature and complex, balancing orchard and dried fruits with honeyed sweetness, vanilla, warming spice and well-integrated oak.

Nose: Mature fruit, honey and vanilla with dried fruit, malt and polished oak.

Palate: Rich and rounded with sweet fruit, malt, vanilla and dried-fruit character alongside warming spice and mature oak.

Finish: Long and warming with lingering fruit, gentle sweetness, spice and seasoned oak.

Serve: Best enjoyed neat at room temperature. Allow it several minutes in the glass before tasting; a few drops of water can be added to open the mature fruit and oak character.