Aberlour A’bunadh

A’bunadh (a-boon-akh) means “origin” in gaelic. The whisky is created the same way as in the 18^th 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