Aberlour A'bunadh

The Aberlour A'Bunadh is one of the most beautifully colored whiskies I have ever seen or tasted with its Deep ruby red.

The very high ABV of this particular whisky had me fooled at first. My premier tasting of this bottle, freshly uncorked and rested about 10-15 minutes in the glass left me quite surprised and a little dissapointed. The alcohol completely numbed my tounge and i couldn't note any particular flavor other than an ideterminable sweetness and a very varm sensation through my mouth.

After a couple of days I sampled it again and the difference was quite profound. Different aromas began to reveal themselves and the taste was beginning to present itself aswell.

Nose: At first quite alcoholic. After getting used to it i get the deep sherry notes. dried figs, red berries compot, pencil shavings, chocolate and foam candy.

Palate: Very mouth-warming indeed, the high ABV numbs the tounge a bit if taken neat. Tastes of strawberries, sherry and oak. It is not very thick and oily but rather it dries the mouth. Adding water lures out some additional sweet strawberry notes.

Finish: Wood, a slight hint of salt, strawberries, dry sherry, ambrosiacake and oak. There is a nuttiness here aswell.

I find this whisky to be very impressive. Big flavours, apparent sherry influence but one that doesn't take over. It is very well balanced.