Aberlour A'bunadh
Batch 47 - Much Klaek!
0 392
Review by @mscottydunc
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall92
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Recently it was pointed out to me by another member (names to be left out) that without completing any reviews, I was a nobody. Well, here's to me becoming a somebody.
A'bunadh is one of my favourite scotches. I have only tried 3 batches (36, 47, and 49) but have loved each. This bottle of batch 47 has been open for roughly a year, with about 25% of the bottle remaining.
Nose: Loads of sherry flavours. Sweet cherries, almost a maraschino cherry like smell but not overly sweet. There is a bit of orange in the nose as well, and some baking spices at the back. The spice is not overpowering, but I do sense some cinnamon and some nutmeg. There is also a candied nut smell, maybe pecans or cashews.
Adding water mutes a little of the sweet cherry note, and brings out more of the candied nut flavours. I also get more of the orange flavours and the chocolate notes are more milk chocolate than dark bitter.
Palate: An explosion of sherry! The sweet cherries from the nose are again at the forefront, and the spice makes more of an appearance on the palate. There is definitely lots of cinnamon and I am getting some burnt brown sugar as well, but it is not unpleasant at all. There is some dark chocolate, and a hint of the oranges from the nose at the back of my tongue. This is very rich and coats the entire mouth quite nicely.
Water on the palate again brings the orange to the forefront, but integrates the flavours of the cherries a little better than neat. I enjoy this with and without water, but find a few drops really opens up the flavours and takes it to another level.
Finish: The finish is dry and slightly bitter, but lingers for a good amount of time. I can sense a bit of the wood influence, and the cinnamon spiceness is present as well. I get more dark bitter chocolate at the end.
With water the finish is less oaky and not as bitter. The orange taste really lingers, and I am getting some burnt sugars like you would find on top of creme brule.
This is a fantastic whisky. I would recommend picking up a bottle for anyone who has not tried it, especially if you like sherry monsters!
This is definitely one klaeky whisky!
Sadly this batch is long gone, with even the KGBO on batch 43. So no one will be able to take you up on your suggestion. I look forward to opening my bottle next year when I hit 47.
And never mind about the conundrum we all face about whether or not we are a nobody or a somebody. As long as you HAVE somebody (person or animal) in your heart you can never be a nobody.