New Aberlour

Probably worth trying at 48%. Their website doesn't list it.

I hope this is not a young NAS replacement for the discontinuation of A'Bunadh...

On surfing, it looks like the maturation of this lower ABV expression is only partly in European oak sherry casks. The rest is in a couple of types (I didn't have time to find out more details) of American oak (which, may not be as available in Europe soon given the trade wars...).

One post suggested that the recent increase in A'Bunadh was to allow this to settle into its previous price range.

That's the problem with NAS...it gives distillers the flexibility to give you less and less for more and more...

Sounds like A'bunadh Light.

I can't say that I dislike the idea of an Aberlour at 48% sitting between the meek standard 12/16 and the A'bunadh. Au contraire, I've repeatedly vatted that concoction myself.

But (see link below)... if this involves 're-adjusting' the price points for the core expressions, I think they've not managed it well if a consequence us to almost double the price of the existing CS.

= with Aberlour you're not paying for the quality you're buying anymore, but for their need to adjust their range and marketing??

connosr.com/whats-happening-at-aberlour-wh…

Just two thoughts come to mind:

1. I would try it before buying it.

2. I am in no rush in looking for it.

I am quite happy with the Unchilled filtered 12yo Aberlour, and it still fits my budget. Even then, I bought a few bottles when they were marked down by a few dollars, a while ago, so I am in no hurry to go out and get any more at the moment.

@ajjarrett - How would you rate the 12 UnCF? It's one i've looked at a few times

@RianC

If I were to score it is it riding the fence of 89 to 91. It has been a while since I have had poured myself a dram of it, which I can rectify later today. Anyway, I wouldn't describe it as a sherry-bomb, like others whiskies are. However, I find it is well-balanced between its sherry influence and what could be identified as its spirit profile (what ever that truly means, since I have never tried the spirit before maturation). Anyway, I find it to be creamy and oily (in a good way). It is definitely is a spring and summer dram, and would be good as an apéritif. Equally so, it would make a good evening dram just before ending the evening.

Not sure if I answered your question with the type of information you were looking for, but I gave it a go. I have one opened bottle, and two waiting for future consumption.

@ajjarrett - Thanks, that's really helpful and just what I was after. Enjoy your dram(s)

@RianC I am glad I could answer your question. If you decide to get it, I hope you wil report back to us on whether or not you enjoy it.

乾杯！

@ajjarrett @RianC thank you for this @ajjarrett ! I've seen some mixed opinions on it, and it doesn't appear often on the shelves here but I generally like the Aberlours among 'its kind' so this is an inspirational and assuring read. @RianC if you get yours first, we expect a comprehensive review :)

@RikS - Likewise :) It will probably not be for a while if/when I do buy.

@RianC I'll need to get over my irritation with Aberlour before I spend money on them too. At least I managed to get an A'bunadh from Amazon at the old price (and presuming that Amazon aren't whisky experts, they actually sent me the new batch 62 instead of the advertised 61... which I suppose can be good or bad, depending on eventual batch variation...)

Just received a bottle of this. Batch 001. I think I’ll be opening it up tonight....

@CanadianNinja I look forward to reading your impressions.

I shall keep you all posted @Nozinan.

There are two customer reviews of Casg Annamh on the Master of Malt website. The reviews did not paint a positive picture. It also seems that Batches 64 and 65 are available per some customer reviews on the same Master of Malt site.

Will be interesting to see what you think of this one. Theoretically, in my mind, it ought to be good. I always found the A'Bunadh a bit too hot, and the 12 a bit weak... so I used to vat the two. This, at a perfect 48%, may be nice. Or not...

I am dismayed about a lot of new stuff being cranked out far too young, with stressed 'innovative' finishes and at high ABV - seemingly only to monetize the whisky frenzy for as long as it lasts rather than trying to find the balance and time for an expression.

Equally, though, I find it amusing how every 'passion' (be it whisky, music, cars, instruments etc) seems to follow the same psychology of 'that which was prior was sooooooo good and shalst never be found or achieved again' whereas all things new are met as suspect and pre-set negative expectations :)

I am, for example, certain that the old £40 Glendronach 15 was a great dram. However, when the secondary market took it up to £300+ I must admit I was giggling about our own silliness.

Has anyone tried the A'Bunadh Alba? I'm keen to try that one. I feel that without wet sherry casks to "hide" an over-abundance of immature, er I mean "bright young" malt, A'Bunadh Alba might actually be an interesting vatting of malt whisky of various ages...

@RikS a lot of the now legendary whiskies which were much more available just a few short years ago were just thought of as solidly good when they were more readily available. There is a common tendency for people to assume that the future will resemble the present and the recent past. "If I can buy it today, I can buy it tomorrow." The availability of superior quality whiskies is often taken for granted when you can see 10 boxes of them sitting on the shelf. Many people like to egotistically indulge their inner critics and look for small faults in great products, and so enjoy the inner smug dialogue and put off condescending to buy that whisky which is only a 92 point whisky and not a 95 point whisky. It takes great confidence in one's own judgment to say, "This one is fabulous, and quite superior to most of what is obtainable, even though most people may not now recognize that. I need to stock up on it now, even though I can (viz. even though it is now readily available.)." Only rigorous honesty and a disciplined approach leads a person to make the right decisions when confronted with a superior whisky product at a good price. I ask myself in such situations, "How will I feel about this purchase 2, or 3, or 5 years from now (because I have so many bottles of whisky that it will take years before I get to most of them)? Will I be happy I did it, or will I regret it?"

@Victor Excellent points.

I still don't regret the 6 Macallan CS I did not keep for myself when they were available at $73 CAD because they went to a good home. I do regret the one we left on the shelf and the two $93 bottles we returned to a different store after finding the others.

I don't regret the 6 of 7 Amrut IS that we found for the lowest price I've seen that are going to others 9you included) because I have enough. I would regret if they were left on the shelf and no one I knew could appreciate them got them.

Call me a socialist if you will, but I'm happy to see the wealth of whisky spread among those who can appreciate it.

@CanadianNinja I just got a batch 1 as well. Curious how this one will measure up.

@Nozinan, I share your sentiment comrade!

@OdysseusUnbound I have not tried it yet, but it's on my list of near-future things to try. Albeit, that list is getting pretty long.

@casualtorture I have bottles on my "to open in the near future" list from over 5 years ago...