Aberfeldy has partnered with Argentinian vintner Finca Ambrosia on its latest cask finished release: 21 year old Malbec Cask Finished single malt scotch. Distilled on November 14, 2001, and matured for just over 20 years in sherry and bourbon re-fill barrels and hogsheads, this one is finished for around 8 months in the winery’s malbec French oak wine casks.
Located at the foothills of the Andes Mountains at about 4,000 feet, Finca Ambrosia estate is an organic winemaker that observes moon cycles for its harvests, making terroir-driven wines in the wine district of Gualtallary in the heart of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. The finishing casks previously held Finca Ambrosia’s, Viña Unica, which was aged in used French oak barrels created by Burgundy, France-based cooper Tonnellerie de Mercurey.
Combining their skills, Aberfeldy malt master Stephanie Macleod and winemaker Daniel Pi worked together to select these particular casks for finishing as they bring classic malbec notes of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, and nuanced flavors of cocoa powder, violet flowers, leather, and sweet tobacco spice to the maturing whisky.
Aberfeldy 21 year old Malbec Cask Finish is bottled at 46% ABV and is non-chill filtered, with a suggested retail price of $280. It’s available in the U.S., the UK, and other international markets, and at Aberfeldy’s gift shop.
Aberfeldy’s red wine cask-finished whiskies have also included French wine casks and Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon, among others.
