Aberlour A'bunadh was first released in 1997. This batch was released in 2016 and bottled at 60.5%
Nose: Deep and immediate sherry – chocolate, orange peels, prunes and raisins. A mixture of red and black fruits have been heavily stewed and reduced down to syrupy and marmalade – richness is already apparent. The high ABV is already detectible – alcohol heat and some extremely prickly pepper. Deeper, earthiness from walnuts, cake mix and hints of balsamic. The addition of water rounds some of the sharper corners – emphasising chocolate and creamy toffee. It also adds slight savouriness – water biscuits and crackers.
Taste: Viscous, very mouth-coasting and with a big arrival. Sharp black pepper is immediate and joined by the flavours of richly spiced fruit cake – dried berries, figs, raisins, plum and dark chocolate ganache. Pepperiness fades gradually and allows further fruits (juices and peels) as well as cinnamon and golden syrup to shine through. Water provides softness, reducing the bite and sharpness as well as highlighting red fruits – cranberries and redcurrants.
Finish: Medium to long in length and with slight bitterness- part bitter chocolate, part bitter oak. Pepperiness is still present and fades gradually, whilst demerara sugar and stewed fruits take over.
A bold and punchy batch of A’Bunadh that takes no prisoners with its sherry-forward flavours. Intense, spicy and packed full of flavour, though still maintaining excellent balance throughout.