Aberlour a’bunadh (Batch 41)
September 24, 2012
For background on a’bunadh, see my reviews of Batches 29 and 30. It’s no secret that Aberlour a’bunadh (pronounced, as the rep from Pernod Ricard stressed… several times… A-ber-LAU-er Ah BOON Ar) is one of my favorite whiskies. I figured that after writing about batches 29 AND 30 that I wouldn’t revisit the brand unless I someday bought another bottle. Serendipitously (how often do you get to use THAT word?), the Pernod Ricard rep at a recent K&L Tasting was pouring both Scapa 16 and the new batch 41 of my old friend a’bunadh!
As a reminder, a’bunadh is bottled at cask strength from a vatting (mixture) of Aberlour malts from varying ages (10 to 15 years old). 100% of the malt is aged in barrels that once held oloroso sherry. Each bottling run (indicated by a batch number on the bottle) will have slightly different alcohol by volume, ranging from 58.9% to 60.9%. Each batch will also vary in flavor, according to the whims of the whiskymaker and the individual characteristics of the source casks.
(This tasting is from the recent Batch Number 41, bottled in 2012 at 59% ABV)
Nose: Coffee grounds and balsamic reduction. Dark chocolate nibs. Black cherry. Much darker notes and less fresh or red fruit than previous batches, but arguably more interesting.
Palate: Familiar mouth-puckering raspberry sour, dark oak, drying tannin, and strawberry. Just like old times.
Finish: Very long, with raisin and resin. Mouth-drying tannins. The fruit here is dried and concentrated and doused in sticky caramelized sugar. Ends with some faint marshmallow (from the oak influence).
With Water: Slightly lighter fruits; brings out strawberry in the nose. Reveals balsamic vinegar on the palate, and somewhat tames the burn.
Overall: Not as much of a sherry bomb as previous batches, but more complex and brooding. Still burns like sweet, sweet fire. The price is not as approachable as days gone by, but $60 for a fantastic sherried cask-strength whisky is still not a bad deal. I continue to recommend this malt highly.
Glad to see you once again reviewing this superb whisky. I am constantly intoducing my family and friends to this great malt. Since our last contact a few weeks ago I did in fact pick up that bottle of batch 29 that I had come across and am continuining to enjoy it. When asked by someone recently to narrow down my personal favorites to just a couple, my choices were the a’bunadh and the Uigeadail (have a thing for sherry casks . . .) – one could be content with ony those two for the rest of ones life. Fortunately, we don’t have to make that choice!
I’d like to know wher you shop though – everywhere I look here in Michigan it’s close to $75 a bottle now.
Hi Michael,
We have pretty good prices here in California, which is unfortunately not true everywhere in the country. I shop primarily at K&L Wine Merchants in Redwood City, CA (http://www.klwines.com). They ship orders, but only if your state allows it. I’m not sure about Michigan. Cheers!
I found a few bottles of this a few months at the Cleveland, Ohio Coast Guard PX/Class 6 for $48/bottle (mid-Sept 2012). I bought two. Have not tried, because I am out of town for a few more weeks. However, you have to be (or been retired) from the military to get access to this deal. Fort Dix, NJ has Batch 29 (as for July 2012) for about the same price. Ask a military buddy to help you out. The military bases stateside usually have pretty good deals in scotch. I stock-up when in the Fort Meade, MD area…one of the better selections.
That’s a good tip, Justin, and thanks for your service to our country.
Cheers!
Come to Canada. It’s $89. I ain’t ‘free’ medical care.
Just wanted to mention that I came across the Batch 41 at a random liquor store in the Los Angeles, CA area and picked it up for $63. It was their last bottle of it. I broke the seal last night for a dram, and I have to say that it was a fantastic recommendation on your part. A great whiskey at a great value, and an excellent addition to my shelf. I’ll be saving this one for the special occasions. Thanks for the good reviews.
@Eric, Glad you enjoyed the Aberlour abunadh – it’s still one of my favorite whiskies. Cheers!
I’m not big into single malt but cask 41 is wonderful. I place one ice cube and the flavors just explode.My friends love it. The cost is about $60. in Charleston,SC.
Just found the heaviest handed bartender in Manhattan Kansas!
My batch 39 was about 3 1/2 ounces. No complaint except
I couldn’t swirl right away.
This is the earliest I’ve ever added water to a Scotch in my
three months of experimentation. I’m getting the slightest peppermint
and oak on the nose. I want to say evergreen on the palate.
The finish isn’t as long as you described on the batch 41 but substantial and delicious.
I am getting that marshmallow you mentioned.
OK! It’s either Great King Street or Talisker 10 next.
This (batch 41) is my third A’bunadh. I regret nothing other than not saving a little to compare. But…… such is the life of a malt monster.
Price here in Australia $100 AUD…. thats $101.36 USD!!!!
Thats a lot of coin for world’s smallest continent