Aberlour A’Bunadh Batch 45

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Aberlour Distillery
• Bottling: Official – Pernod Ricard
• ABV: 60.2%
• Cost: £35.69
• Score: 85/100

What they say:

With each batch carefully made by hand, Aberlour A’bunadh is a unique cask strength whisky that has achieved cult status among whisky connoisseurs.

Meaning ‘the original’ in Gaelic, A’bunadh is made in homage to Aberlour’s founder, James Fleming, using only traditional methods without chill filtration or other modern processes.

The result is a heavier, creamier single malt than most have ever experienced – memorably flavoursome, with an intense raisin character.

Colour: Deep rich amber.

Nose: Terrific aromas of allspice, praline and spiced orange, in harmony with deep notes of Oloroso Sherry.

Palate: Orange, black cherries, dried fruit and ginger, spiked with dark bitter chocolate and enriched with lingering Sherry and oak. Superlatively full bodied and creamy.

Finish: Robust and long lasting, with bittersweet notes of exotic spices, dark chocolate and oak.

What I say:

As a huge fan of Aberlour’s stable expressions, in particular their 10 Years Old and 12 Years Old I have been dying to try the A’Bunadh for quite some time but never managed to get round to buying a bottle. With the current Batch 45 stocks rapidly diminishing and the launch of Batch 46 already I finally decided to buy a 3cl sample from Drinks by the Dram for £4.38 in order to taste and review it. If you enjoy bargain hunting, the A’Bunadh expression is available via Waitrose supermarkets who usually discount at some point during its shelf-life, alternatively if Ocado deliver in your area it is also available through them and they often have incentive discount vouchers for new shoppers!

Colour:

Rusty ruby red

Nose:

Sherry, leather, apples, cherries, orange zest, caramelised/candied peel and hints of sweet barley malt

Taste:

Hot raisin fudge, syrupy and oily with cloves and almonds and lots of golden delicious apples

Finish:

Long and vaporous with marzipan, frangipane and chocolate – super smooth from start to finish despite its ABV

Would I buy it again:

Probably, for me this is the Aberlour 10 Years Old at Cask Strength, being slightly younger, fresher spirit there is a little less depth in the A’Bunadh which was a little disappointing, however the ABV more than makes up for this. I was tempted to see if this opened up and revealed any deeper flavours with water but it was so smooth and enjoyable I drank it all far too quickly for this! For the price I would definitely recommend this as a fantastic cask strength whisky that is full of that sherried style that Aberlour do so well. I am sure before long that a full 70cl bottle will be making its way into my collection.