Aberlour A'bunadh

I give my thanks to @mscottydunc for the reviewed sample

Nose: big intense sharp-edged sherry with many high pitches, many medium pitches, and a few bass notes. There is lemon citrus mixed in with the dark fruits, with tart blackberry prominent among the dark fruits. This is a very good A'bunadh nose, but I have liked some much better than this one. With water, the flavours are bundled, homogenised, and very nice. Score: 22/25 points

Taste: even without water added, this batch is very homogenous in the mouth, as though cut from whole cloth. The tart quality is still there but is reduced from the level of the nose. This is a nice translation of flavours from the nose, and I like the palate slightly better than the nose. With water the flavours are bundled together. Score: 23/25

Finish: more of the same from the palate, strong and long, ending sour. With water, the bundled flavours are very nice, but fade out more quickly. Score: 22/25

Balance: good to very good throughout. Score: 21.5/25

Total Sequential Score: 88.5 points

Strength: very strong flavours throughout. Score: 23.5/25

Quality: good to very good quality of the wine flavours, which are what you taste. Score: 21.5/25

Variety: adequate variety among the wine flavours. Score: 21.5/25

Harmony: good harmony, but the nose and finish are too sour. Score: 20.5/25

Total Non-Sequential Score: 87 points

Comment: this is another very nice A'bunadh, but it is too sour for true greatness