It's Aberlour's ever-popular A'Bunadh single malt Scotch whisky! Each batch of this single malt is matured entirely in Spanish oloroso sherry butts, bestowing huge helpings of dried fruit and festive spice notes to the whisky, after which it's bottled up at full-on cask strength with no chill-filtration.
Zesty notes of chocolate-coated orange wheels join sticky ginger loaf and sherried fruits.
Plump sultanas, prunes, cakey spice, and marmalade, with biscuity malt and toffee apple in tow.
Sweet spices and rich oak linger.
Compared to some recent releases, the colour is marginally lighter and the aroma and palate deliver more heat and astringency. Its fiery, Armagnac-like personality reveals flavours of walnut slice, dried fruits and dark chocolate alongside richer vanillas, suggesting a good measure of American oak. Water softens the blow, fluffing up the texture, allowing you to experiment with a wide ratio of dilution to find your preferred sweet spot.
Taste is a smackeroo and a few bucks, too boot. Great dram, but alas, whisky lovers a none too pleased with the price. Pretty hefty here in the states, as well, but it was worth hunting for.
This is very tasty but also very strong, sore head this morning after one double.
Initially found alcohol burn overpowering, without water. However after a few weeks, either due to being opened/exposed to air, or my taste becoming acquired, the heat for me has calmed and flavours opened up. Sherry and dried fruit for sure but with less saccharine style sweetness of some sort other expressions and a balanced malt carrying those sherried fruity notes.
I’ve been waiting to tackle this baby monster for a while. Just got my tentacles around it… All too often, disappointment follows in the heels of expectation - But not here. This is a wow and a half! I should try it with a dash of water. Someday.
