A'bunadh is Gaelic for the original, and the name is earned. In 1975 workers at Aberlour uncovered a time capsule containing a bottle of the distillery's whisky from 1898, wrapped in newspaper of the period. This expression is the attempt to recreate that style using only traditional methods, and it has become one of the most respected sherry driven single malts made anywhere. Everything about how it is produced serves that goal. It is matured exclusively in Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, with no bourbon wood anywhere in the recipe, which is unusual even among sherried malts and is the reason the profile runs so deep and so dark. It is bottled straight from the cask with no water added, no chill filtration and no added colour, so nothing has been stripped out or corrected. Because it is assembled by hand batch by batch rather than blended to a fixed specification, every release differs, and each carries its own number and its own strength. This bottle is batch 066, bottled at 61.2 percent alcohol by volume, 122.4 proof. Another batch will not be identical, which is precisely why enthusiasts collect and compare them. In the glass it is deep auburn gold. The nose gives mixed spices, praline and spiced orange over rich Oloroso depth. The palate is full bodied and creamy, carrying orange, black cherry, dried fruit and ginger against dark bitter chocolate, sherry and oak. The finish is robust and intense, bittersweet with exotic spice and chocolate. Drink it neat first, then add a few drops of water, which at this strength opens it considerably.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
61.2% |
| Proof |
122.4 |
| Size |
700ml (70cl) |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Speyside |
| Category |
Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
A'bunadh, Original Cask Strength |
| Batch |
066 |
| Maturation |
Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, exclusively |
| Age |
No age statement |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered |
| Colour |
Natural, no added colouring |
| Distillery |
Aberlour Distillery, established 1879 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep auburn gold, drawn entirely from Oloroso sherry wood with no added colouring.
Nose: Mixed spices, praline and spiced orange harmonising with rich, deep Oloroso sherry notes.
Palate: Full bodied and creamy, with orange, black cherries, dried fruit and ginger spiked with dark bitter chocolate and enriched by sherry and oak.
Finish: Robust and intense, bittersweet, closing on exotic spices, dark chocolate and oak.
FAQ
What proof is this bottle? Batch 066 is bottled at 122.4 proof, or 61.2 percent alcohol by volume. A'bunadh batches range roughly between 59.6 and 61.5 percent, so the strength differs from batch to batch.
What does the batch number mean? Each release is assembled by hand rather than blended to a fixed specification, so every batch has its own character and strength. The number identifies which release the bottle came from, and enthusiasts actively collect and compare them.
What casks is it matured in? Spanish Oloroso sherry butts exclusively, with no bourbon wood used at any stage, which is what gives it such depth and dark fruit character.
Does it have an age statement? No. A'bunadh is released by batch rather than by age.
Should I add water? Yes, after tasting it neat. At over 122 proof a few drops noticeably temper the heat and open up additional fruit and spice.
Where can I buy Aberlour A'bunadh online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
