Aberlour A’bunadh Batch 61

25 October 2018

The Aberlour A’bunadh is one of those must-have whiskies. Back in the day, it was our first so called sherrybomb we owned, and we’ve always had one in stock since then. The price/quality ratio is outstanding, but we’ve noticed some decline in taste in the past few years.

I absolutely loved batch 47, but when we arrived in the fifties, I missed something. Mainly some woody and drier sherry notes. Of course this is just my own humble opinion. But things are getting better now we’ve arrived in the sixties. There’s no doubt: the differences in batches are fun to explore, especially when you realize it’s a good one. Let’s give batch 61 a taste, shall we?

Tasting notes

Nose

Old wooden floor, a wine cellar, hay, candy cane, pineapple and chocolate milk. Dry sherry notes, spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, potpourri, dried orange peels. The dark heavy notes resemble the smell of a bourbon in some ways.

Palate

Vanilla, dry wood, spices, raisins and a bourbonesque sweetness, it’s transforming into cherry and praliné filled Belgian chocolate.

Finish

Heavy, dry and spicy, with an overload of cherries, blackberries, cinnamon, orange peels, raisins and oak.

Seems like we’re getting back on track, Aberlour! Still not what batch 47 offered (for me, that is), but I’m happy with this addition to my cabinet. What’s your favourite batch?