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13 years ago
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This article might be of a little help: edinburghwhiskyblog.com/2012/04/… I have a Batch 34 which is open, and a 37 which is as yet unopened, so I'm afraid my opinion has to be limited to Batch 34! I'm not sure I've heard of a bad batch, just good ones and better ones. Happy hunting.
13 years ago 0
@monitorpop For what it's worth, I've only tasted batch 36 and it is excellent.
13 years ago 0
I personally own batch 30 and found it to be very enjoyable once it was allowed to breath for a little while. Once it's gone I'll be picking up the next one available to me. To answer your question if you can get your hands on the batch #28 you mentioned start there and enjoy it. I figure it's harder to acquire the older batch's than the new ones. Enjoy.
13 years ago 0
Batch # 28 is superb! I don't think that any subsequent offering has had quite the same depth and delicious mouth-feel. As CJV8 has pointed out they are all very good; personally I would have to go back to #19 to see anything more exciting.
I have half a decanter of #32 which has 'mellowed-out' beautifully. Decanting a'bunadh is , for me mandatory: Even the very best batches improve dramatically with a month or more in a large decanter- The routine, for me, is decant 2/3 of the bot. into large glass and set the remainder aside for a week, then get around to the decanter much later.
One of my boys had half a bottle of #5 in his pantry for close to 2 years! Words can't describe how well it 'mellowed-out'. It was sensational to start with (superb Sherry casks), but after all that time it was something else!
13 years ago 1Who liked this?
@A'bunadhman, sounds like you know all, or almost all of the batches. Would you be willing to do a posting with your observations on each batch? I believe that there would be a group of us interested in reading your observations. A short bit to differentiate one batch from another would probably be very sufficient.
13 years ago 2Who liked this?
@Victor: I'm not sure I could do a comprehensive overview as many batches seemed to elude me; also many batches were not sent to all states. I believe Melbourne in Victoria had batches we did not see i.e. #s13, 14, 16, 17, 24 and others. The problem was that here in Queensland we would be three or batches behind mainly due to less sales. That has changed, now, as more awareness and support for this Giant takes hold but we still manage to miss the odd batch.
The batches that I have particularly liked, I would say, are the distillery style and for the most part are those with beautifully intergrated Sherry, depth of flavor on the palate with layers of sweet malt on a background of brush-fire smoke and that resounding finish that not only resonates but is an echo of the whole experience and as the French say of their better Wines, 'is long in the mouth'.
The only divergence from what I feel is the distillery style comes from the choice of Sherry casks and there is some difference in batches. Some Sherry casks are better than others and quality and freshness together with handling (I'm told), make or break even the finest of spirit.
Batches I have particularly liked for the above reasons have been in order: #5, 6, 9,11, 23, 28, 29, 32. Only #22 was disappointing and it was heavily discounted everywhere including Brisbane Duty Free where I picked up 3 bots for Au.$90. Not bad but rather flat.
Slainte!
13 years ago 1Who liked this?
@A'bunadhman, thanks very much for the excellent information and quick response.
13 years ago 0
Thanks for the great posts A'bunadhman! Glad I picked up the batch 28. It would be great to see what you think of future batches, so I know what to look for when its time for a second bottle.
I am really surprised that you say a half bottle/decanter improves with time. I assumed it would have a negative impact because of oxidation. Is your recommendation unique to a’bunadh? Does it introduce any metallic notes?
Thanks!
13 years ago 0
I've not yet met an abunadh I didn't like....in fact, I'm saving four oz off of every bottle for an epic vertical tasting one day. I picture myself, about to retire, with 30 years worth of four oz samples and the biggest grin you can imagine as I plan my retirement celebration. :-D
13 years ago 1Who liked this?
@cpstecroix: Can I come too? @monitorpop: Oxidisation plays a major role with Wines and low alcoholic beverages, mostly, but not always, negative - Not so with Whisky. I like to think of this process of having a large air space for some time as a 'mellowing out'.
An interesting account of leaving very strong (I suspect straight from cask) undiluted Glenlivet Whisky in un-stoppered bottles is to be found in 'Memoirs of a Highland Lady'. This was Whisky demanded by the future King of England, who would take none other!
Cheers
13 years ago 0
This review may also help: connosr.com/reviews/aberlour/…. My fav is batch 19.
13 years ago 1Who liked this?
I've had five since I discovered Aberlour a'bunadh at Batch 19, which was the batch that impressed me the most. Every one I've had has been awesome. IMO It's a great buy whatever the batch.
13 years ago 0
@A'bunadhman: I have no experience either way yet, but this blog post on whisky oxidation has an interesting discussion on the topic in the comments. www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2011/07/22/
@markjedi1: Great review and comment thread on a'bunadh batches. Thanks for posting.
13 years ago 0
@monitorpop: I really don't support spraying anything into Whisky. If you are at all concerned about bots. with less than half the contents left, transfer it to a smaller container: Don't throw out any 200ml. or smaller Whisky Bottles - Just make sure that they are spotless!
Slainte!
13 years ago 0
@A'bunadhman: I certainly don't plan on ever spraying anything into my bottles. I actually can't even see myself transferring to smaller bottles. I'm just surprised by the wide range of opinions on topic.
13 years ago 0
Hi Experts Has anybody compared batch 34 and 37? Could get one of these (same price), or do you think other batches are clearly "better"?
13 years ago 0
@A'bunadhman Thank you. Can you give some tendencies about the different tasting?
13 years ago 0
@Wills: Batch #37 could have been good, should have been good but alas had a nasty character on the back of the palate; a sourness that comes and goes and that I suspect comes from a poor Sherry cask - one that has been patched over by the addition of several superior casks but it is still there.
It is very evident in the morning after empty glass test!
If you can find a #19 anywhere, it would serve as a good yardstick. The #34 is rather good but you must rememberthat every batch is slightly different. The #34 will give you an indication of a'bunadh style, the rich sherried fruit cake and marmalade character of the palate and the fantastic mahogany depth.
Experiment with your spring water - Add a little, if needs be, add more. I've found with a'bunadh that it needs a small glug (1part water/ rain : 4 or 5 parts Whisky. The nose will tell you if you haven't added enough water with a senses numbing belt of alcohol volatility, and it may take a while for your nose to recover. The flavour profile will change with the addition of rather small amounts of water and the worst thing that can happen is that you add too much water...Add more Whisky problem solved!
Good Luck.
13 years ago 1Who liked this?
Thx a lot, that really helped. I am adding 2 more questions. In a review I heard, that the A'bunadh tastes like the original 10 yo Aberlour if you dilute it to 40% and let it breath for a long time. They say this A'bunadh profits by his dynamics. Just wondering if you feel the same. My second question is about a comparison to the Macallan Sherry Oak 10yo. Are those whiskys very similar? Of course both are sherrybombs and I like my Macallan. But I will be honest, my nosing and tasting skills aren't that good (hope it gets better in the future) and for me there is not much behind the sherry in the Macallan. You think this is the same for the A'bunadh for a more unexperienced tongue? I guess my questions are a little redundant, because I am just reading good stuff about this whisky and I think I am buying it nonetheless. But maybe I can spare my wallet for some more month ;)
13 years ago 0
Personally, I much prefer the A'bunadh to the Macallan...a more fair comparison is the CS to the A'bunadh, where if find there is typically more spicy complexity in the Abunadh than the Macallan.
13 years ago 4Who liked this?
Just wanted to say that myself and 'WhiskyJoe' have greatly enjoyed Batch 32. Also wanted to thank 'A'bunadhman' for the additional insight that he has provided to me in months past.
I did want to bump this thread to get feedback on how people would rank and/or review any and all batches from #34 onwards (I believe the LCBO is now up to #39, but that the real world has #42 out on the shelves). I don't know when I will be able to pull the trigger on getting a bottle for myself, so any info will be appreciated and put to good use at some point! Thanks everybody.
12 years ago 0
I'll bump this thread again as my curiousity knows know bounds with regards to my inquiry from my last post. Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!!
12 years ago 0
Well at my local shop, I recently bought batch 44. I thought it was the best batch i've tried.(tried 37,38,and 44) Too bad i could not get to taste more from the bottle, because my friends finished it so quickly. They all loved it!! I only had one dram! :(
12 years ago 0
@abunadhMatada...thank you for your comments! Are you going to get another bottle soon?
I especially appreciate your feedback as batch #44 seems to have found it's way on to LCBO shelves in the past couple of weeks or so. Right now, if I was to plonk down the $95 for a bottle, my decision (in terms of batches that I think exist on at least some LCBO store shelves that I can access) would be between 39, 40, & 44, based on various feedback. As always, I have a continuing interest in the feedback of others (especially batch 38 and onwards, at this point in time).
12 years ago 0
the only batches in the LCBO's around me are #38 and #44. Ive only had the #38, but it was an amazing whisky. there are still a few left. If you do what i did, go on the LCBO website, find the stores they are at and call them all to get the batch numbers :)
12 years ago 1Who liked this?
@Pudge72 my two most recent batches have been 40 and 42 (haven't seen the 44 yet). I much preferred the 40 over the 42, but letting the 42 sit for some weeks after opening really helps. For me the 40 was what a'Bunadh is all about. Smooth as silk, no alcohol burn, and the fantastic sherry flavors you'd expect. I've read some negative press on the 40, but ....
12 years ago 1Who liked this?
I've got a bottle of Aberlour 18 open right now. It's fantastic. If you like A'bunadh, you should try the 18. Yes, it's more subtle, but in many ways I think it's more sophisticated, as well. Personally, I really appreciate the bombastic nature of A'bunadh as a "sherry bomb," but lately the 18 is hitting the spot even more. Smooth as silk, full of lush sherry fruit notes, along with other wonderful flavors. I really can't recommend it highly enough.
12 years ago 1Who liked this?
I'm looking to buy my first bottle of Aberlour a’bunadh based on reviews here. Some shops (in Michigan) have recent batches, but one has a batch 28 for the same price. Its in the box, so I believe that its been out of the light. What batch would you recommend picking up? Batch 28, 35 or a current batch? Thanks!