When we discuss the topic of whisky in general, we are all on the same page: This stuff rules supreme! But when we come to speak of individual expressions, things become a bit more complicated. With the range of available bottlings being incredibly diverse and everyone’s perceptual apparatus being absolutely unique, it is not that easy to fully agree with one another on every point. Ask ten different drammers about one and the same bottle of whisky, they say, and you get ten different opinions. While this statement certainly bears some truth, there are also those rare bottles that do not leave much room for derivation – like Aberlour’s exceptional high-strength stormer A’bunadh. Whenever people talk about this pour, I hear nothing but praise and euphemisms. And rightfully so! Exclusively matured in Spanish oak and bottled with an ABV beyond the face-melting 60 per cent barrier, this full-of-character single malt Scotch is a nothing short of a quintessential sherry bomb! Although the differing batches of A’bunadh can vary quite a bit from each other, there is one golden thread combining them all: They are amazingly awesome!
by Tobi
Eye: A dark, deep chestnut brown with red and orange highlights.
Nose: Ooohh-loroso, baby! Aberlour’s high strength flagship instantly fills your nostrils with mushy red fruits and opulent spices. Dark grapes and sugared currants. Also cloves and a bit of white pepper. Some wood and old parchment. Surprisingly for such a powerful pour, I do not find the nose to be spirity or biting at all.
Palate: In the mouth, Batch 56 of the A’bunadh is lavish, strong, complex and pleasing. It brims with sweet raisins, juicy oranges, red berries and fresh vanilla. The spicy, woody and dusty notes we already sensed during the nosing make a comeback on our tastebuds, too.
Finish: Let’s hope this sherry monster brought its payamas, cause it will stay with you over night!
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- The dram
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- The label
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- In the glass
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- Promo shot (taken from Aberlour.com)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Scotland (Speyside)
Aged: NAS
Alc. volume: 61.2%
Bottle size: 0.7 litres
Price range: ~55.00 Euro
More info: http://www.aberlour.com/ (Distillery)
BarleyMania | Whisky & Whiskey 
Sorry to burst your bubble of a universally liked whisky.
It didn’t appeal to me.
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Ah, damn! Guess there’s always gotta be an exception to prove the rule. ;)
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Been a while since I last tasted this fantastic gem…
Maybe time for a revisit again! #curious #sherrymonster :)
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Cheers! Before I opened my bottle on New Year’s Eve, I also only had occasional drams of A’bunadh at fairs, tastings or at friends’ places. Spending a bit more time with it at home and paying a little more attention to it certainly was great fun… and very rewarding!
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It’s been a while since I’ve tried this stuff, which means I’m several batches behind. I need to get back at it. Has always been a good whisky.
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Oh yes, that’s definitely a whisky worth returning to. Also, the individual batches are quite different from one another (while still bearing the same DNA), so diving deeper into the world of A’bunadh won’t get boring anytime soon. :)
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