Aberlour a’bunadh (batch #54)

As ever, Batch 54 of Aberlour a’bunadh has been drawn from Oloroso sherry butts. Around 60-80 casks are used for each batch, which are bottled with no chill filtering and no colour added.

Aberlour a’bunadh (60,7%, OB 2016, Oloroso sherry butts, batch n°54)

Nose: impressive. Lots of raisins, blackberries and rich cherry liqueur. Black Forest cake. Spicy figs and hints of tobacco leaves. Also bright oranges. Hints of brioche with a burnt edge. Whiffs of old cellars and oak dust as well. Very nice, on par with some of the best GlenDronach single casks that are much more expensive.

Mouth: quite dry now, with lots of spices (pepper, clove, cinnamon) and tannic oak. Luckily the forest fruits are still present, but without some of the brightest, fruitiest notes. Some dark chocolate. Roasted nuts. A bit of smoke as well.

Finish: long, spicy and slightly bitter. Missing some of the fruitiness now.

This one started really great, but the spicy heat and dark, oaky flavours on the palate were taking away some of the initial excitement. Around € 65.

Score: 87/100