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Aberlour A'bunadh Batch No. 49

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@talexanderReview by @talexander

26th Feb 2015

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Aberlour A'bunadh Batch No. 49
  • Nose
    24
  • Taste
    22
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    91

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

The colour is a deep reddish bronze (pretty identical to the 47). On the nose, damp tobacco leaves, plums, rum-raisin, old leather, Christmas cake. Some papaya as well. Light molasses and cloves. More gentle with water. Beautiful, rich and deep, much more so than the 47.

On the palate, many of the same notes as the notes but very herbal - mint, rosemary, sage. Has a nice sweetness. Creamy mouthfeel. Apricots and plums, and loads of blueberries. Water tames the alcohol but retains the complexity. Extremely thick and rich; side-by-side, the 47 is thinner than the 49, with less oomph. But the 49 has a little too much oomph and a bit fuzzy with a touch of sulphur. Still, very complex.

The finish is long and deep but not overwhelming - dates, port and a touch of cloves. It is surprising that this batch, with a slightly lower ABV than 47 (OK, 0.6% less but who's counting) actually has more power behind it. That's not necessarily better or worse. In fact, it is a bit too much in the mouth (though the nose is wonderful). I would rate this one slightly higher than the 47 as it seems to give more bang for your buck - but only slightly. Both are well worth the investment.

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13 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

You make me happy I picked up a second 49 when some more appeared set the KGBO. Now I can put it away for three years and 2 months till I'm ready to drink it...

9 years ago 0

@Alexsweden
Alexsweden commented

Great review, the 49 sounds like a stunner indeed.

9 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 commented

Have you experimented with the combination of equal parts of both batches mixed together? From this review, it sounds like it has a chance to be a real winner.

9 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

No, @Pudge72, but I will do that!!!

9 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Let us know how that works out. I hope it tastes better than the reviews for batch 48....

9 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@Pudge72 That sounds interesting. I just did a head to head video with the 45 and the 50. I think I'm going to do a combination of the two. How long do you propose I marry them for before tasting?

9 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@maltactivist - just saw some of your youtube videos... when will you be posting the A'Bunadh showdown?

9 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@Nozinan will be posting it in a couple of hours - will put up a link here

9 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 commented

@MaltActivist...that's a good question. I haven't tried it yet, but maybe (if you have the quantities available) it's an opportunity to experiment. Say, 100 mL of each batch into a small bottle, and then try a small pour right off the bat, then again after a couple of days/weeks, and so on. See what timeline works best. I've never really gotten into blending experimentation so I would not be one to suggest something definitively, one way or another. Let us know how it goes!

9 years ago 0

@FMichael
FMichael commented

I just finished my batch 49 last night, and I must say it was top notch!

I had to forgo my self-induced boycott on NAS whisky, and pick up 2 more (technically I purchased 3, and gave 1 to my mother for her B-Day).

9 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

I created my own single malt by doing a 1:1 ratio of Batch 47 and 49. Awful. Total fucking crap.

9 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 commented

Thanks for taking the plunge and giving the 47/49 blend a try, @talexander. Sorry to hear the end result was poor.

9 years ago 0