Aberlour A’bunadh
A’bunadh (a-boon-akh) means “origin” in gaelic. The whisky is created the same way as in the 18th century with selected Oloroso sherry casks. The are non-chill filtered and there is not adjustment with water so every batch have different volume strength.
One of these famous malts that make us lesser mortals tremble. Batches #11 and 15 have been my favourites so far, let’s see if #20 will join them in the pantheon. Colour: deep amber with brownish/orangey hues. Nose: oloroso galore! Very big notes of raisins, chocolate, prunes, cherry liqueur, cloves... All that is nicely dry and even a tad smoky but that may well come from the alcohol. With water: it gets a bit more herbal and slightly wild as well as meatier. Is that English brown sauce? Mouth (neat): very powerful of course but not undrinkable, quite astonishingly. Big sherry, big raisins, hints of mint and chlorophyll, litres of kirsch (just like when you put your nose over a demijohn)... But let’s not tempt fate – so, with water: gets more herbal again, with notes of thyme and rosemary, sage, bay leaves... Also quite maltier and even a little smoky. Finish: long, coating, elegant (yes) and spicier (pepper and ginger). Shoo, to the pantheon!
Tasting note by Serge Valentin, Whiskyfun
About the whisky
- Price: about £34
(∼ 40€, $52 or 343SEK) - Alcohol: Cask Strength%
- Distillery: Aberlour
- Region: Speyside
- Country: Scotland
- Official website
- Location (at Google)
- Buy more from same distillery (at TWE)
- Buy Aberlour A’bunadh
- Read more (at Wikipedia)
I got a taste of #36 (my first Aberlour) and I loved it. I don’t think it was that sharp because of the fruity sweetness, but it definitely was strong enough to warm you up a bit. This will be a new favorite of mine for foggy winter days I think. Thanks Jens for the sample!
Had a sip of this marvellous piece this weekend and it’s really nice. Rough and sharp. Really needs some water to bring out those nice flavours. You been warned.