1980s Aberlour NAS ( Believed to be)

Level Top Shoulder

The 1980s Aberlour NAS (No Age Statement) bottlings are elusive, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into the distillery’s pre-modern era, before the widespread acclaim of its sherry-forward expressions like A'bunadh. While formal tasting notes are scarce, we can build a speculative profile based on known characteristics of Aberlour’s output from that decade:

Speculative Tasting Notes: 1980s Aberlour NAS

Appearance: Medium amber, hinting at moderate sherry cask influence but not full-on “sherry bomb”

Nose: Soft orchard fruits—baked apples, pears, and a touch of apricot. Malty backbone with hints of honey and toasted oats. Subtle sherry notes—dried figs, light nuttiness, and faint sulfurA whisper of herbal spice—bay leaf or fennel

Palate: Medium-bodied and rounded. Initial sweetness of caramel and stewed fruits. Developing into gentle spice—cinnamon, clove, and a touch of ginger. Light oak tannins and a trace of smoke, possibly from older refill casks

Finish: Medium length. Warming with lingering fruitcake, malt, and a dry, slightly earthy fade