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Aberlour A'bunadh

Lucifer

5 585

@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

7th Mar 2021

1

Aberlour A'bunadh
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
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  • Overall
    85

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I have tried quite a few a’bunadh in my day, batch 60 only last November, but recently got a bottle of batch 66. The buyer was not very fond of it and asked me to take it off his hands. I did so gladly, so here we are with this sherry monster that will brighten up my day.

It is very sweet on the nose on krieks, candied orange peel, plums and hazelnuts. But it has to be said: there is a scent of struck match too. Baked banana, ginger and some green garden herbs. Mashed potatoes with an overdose of nutmeg.

Despite the high ABV, the arrival does not burn. Sure, it’s a sturdy fellow, but you do not need water per se. Toffee apples, oranges marmalade and… Wellington boots. Oh, well. But not so much that it becomes annoying. Very spicy, though. Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and some black pepper. Becomes quite creamy midpalate.

The finish is long, warm, dark & sweet but at the same time quite drying with lots of wood.

Far from bad, but less good than some of the older batches.

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5 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Nice review. It's good to be reminded of one of the Scotches that really charmed me into this journey. For me it was batch 33. Since then I have tasted from 14 batches ranging from 10 to 58. Since I opened my first bottle there has been no time when I did not have any in my home (and probably almost no time when I didn't have an open bottle in my cabinet.

Most batchesI've tried have been solid. I admit that the bottles are lasting longer and longer as my exploration of whiskies has expanded. In 2011-12 I would have laughed if you suggested a bottle would be around for 3 years. But when I come back to it it's always worth it.

I have a bottle of batch 65 (and I'm sure 66 is long gone) which I will save for when I turn 65. And I have plenty of others to fill in the gaps in between.

3 years ago 3Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

Although I haven't had it for some time, my impression is that this one has slipped out of the 90 point range and into the mid 80s in recent years. I have had Glenfarclas 105, which admittedly is not quite the sherry bomb that A'Bunadh is, but it clocks in at 60% ABV, is barely two thirds the price and is very drinkable.

3 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@BlueNote the 105 is a little different, and not always available. I have a bottle I’m hoping to open soon, when I have room in my cabinet.

3 years ago 1Who liked this?

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

@BlueNote I tend to prefer the GF 105 as it retains a bit more distillate character than A’Bunadh, imho.

3 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

Krieks.... Hmmmm. I wonder if that is what @Marino meant when he wrote Klaek...

3 years ago 0