I would like to see a comparison between this and the bunnahabhain 12 cask strength. Probably apples to oranges but they are two of my favorite high proof non peated scotches.
You should try other batches if can find them The single digits batches is amazing. Been drinking A'Bunadh for years, started at batch 9. (Yummy) The high alcohol content burns your fast buds, try cutting it with lotz of water, it I'll explode in your mouth. You find all new flavors. Little water lotz water up to you. Great stuff
yes ,, don't worry about the non age statement , go by the taste , some non ers have very old whisky in them that is not up to strength so they mix with younger full strength , = good stuff .
Nice review! A'Bunadh is one of my favorite ever Scotches. The batches do vary a bit, but my least favorite was still very good. Currently I have 069 too, and it's fantastic IMO, the best A'Bunadh I've tried to date.
Terrific review Bill. I agree with you wholeheartedly on the nose, taste, and finish notes you pointed out. I have batch #74 and I paid $121 for it. I could have picked it up for $100 but would have had to drive across the state for it (Florida). Everyone has their “price ceiling” of what they are willing to,pay for a scotch. Mine is around $100. It’s rare that I will spend more than that. Is this scotch worth $100? Yes, it is. The high ABV doesn’t burn or leave you with a scorched tongue. It’s surprisingly smooth. I drink half a dram neat, and the other half with water. That works for me. The neat experience is terrific in that I get all those deep , rich, and dark sherry notes along with the oak as you said. With water it becomes more like a traditional sherried scotch. I have read that the newer batches aren’t as good as the older ones. I find that statement amusing because that’s what everyone says about every scotch! I love Ardbeg and everyone says Ardbeg “isn’t what it used to be”. Gotta call BS on that one. I have been drinking Ardbeg for decades. It’s just as good as it always was.
@alandiaz1041 : I always wonder how much you guys earn as a salary at your job. So many guys say that they are paying $100 to $120 for an Aberlour A'bunadh. Currently the price for the Batch 077 has increased to €75 in Germany and I am not going to pay this anymore.
Honestly , after years of expensive scotch and bourbon , this one is my favourite. I have never had a more flavourful scotch. It’s not for the faint of heart but if you can get past the high alcohol ( which can be tamed with a drop of water ) you will be become a believer. Lol.
It took me a good few days but I’ve been able to nicely adjust to the high ABV. It’s delicious and really reminds me of a nice glass of sherry/port/PX, despite being a hell of a lot stronger!
This is the last of my ‘sweet’ go-to’s still in production: Balvenie 21 Portwood, Macallan 18, and this - this was always on par with those as far as I am concerned. It’s the cask-strength fire without losing the complexity of Balvenie but smooth like Macallan 18.
Definitely on my radar to try one day. I thought I loved sherry bombs, but I've been striking out lately. But I've heard more than a few people suggest this one.
One of my favorites scotch period. I didn't know there were up to 25 yrs scotch in the bend. That explains why it tastes the way it does when you compare it to young scotch. I need to get myself another bottle but they are around $120 in my Total Wine. On line I can find it under $100 but then the shipping gets me. Great review Bill! Cheers!
@samscott54 if you look around at pronunciations I think you'll learn that I'm saying it correctly. Early on in this channel I mispronounced a couple of things... I go out of my way to make sure I don't do it anymore, this video included.
This is what a review is all about. With my basically zero knowledge of Scotch, this description has me absolutely drooling to try this. I don't see $100 as overpriced if a whiskey is really complex and tasty, oh and the proof is more around my preference.
It is on my 'to buy' list. It can be scarce. At present, there are two bottles in the entire state. It goes for $110 per 750ml bottle here in the PNW. I've heard that Edradour 12 Caledonia is in the same ballpark. If so, it comes in at $85. Sherried single malts dominate my collection, by far, but I suspect I shall still be required to "go to the mountain top", at least where sherried Scotch is concerned.
Wonderful to watch your review of this amazing scotch! It’s my favourite as of yet; I normally prefer the sweeter flavour profiles of bourbons and ryes. I think that because it’s being distributed at cask strength, the fact that A’Bunadh has been aged in sherry butts becomes even more apparent. Despite having a relatively high ABV (61.3% for my batch #76 bottle), I find it very drinkable even when had neat. The only downside is that I paid about AUD$155/USD$100 for it 🙃
Yikes, that's a high price, but it's a great whisky. One I don't frequently go back to, so it tends to last. Every time I drink It I think "I should drink this more"
Thanks for the review Bill! My father recently shared this with me, he had gotten it as a gift for his 60th. It definitely has all the classic sherry notes cranked to 11. Since it's cask strength, you can start there and slowly add water to see what comes out. Thanks for the review Bill, its clear you really enjoyed this one, and love the passion :). Cheers!
I’ve been eyeballing this one for a bit at my local store. It’s the newest batch (not sure which that is), but it’s around $88. Thoughts? Thanks everyone!
Great review Bill 👌 I especially liked the supposed tangent. That to me was very important to describing this whiskey and how it’s different from other Sherry finished whiskeys. Anyhoo I’ve had something similar, Tamdhu Batch Strength. It’s a bit full on with similar abv and packed full of flavour. Have you tried it? Would be interested in how they compare.
I could guess at what would be my favorite but I'd want to drink them side by side. I'd happily give you an answer but it's been a while since I've had the Tamdhu
I appreciate the clarification... it's funny. I've only ever drank darker sherries and discuss oloroso and PX as well as Amontollado... all of which are dark. I totally made the assumption that it was red all these years. Wow. Thanks!
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary You're welcome and I appreciate the response. Now that I think about it, sherries are dark so I understand why one would assume that they're a red wine. It's a shame good sherry is uncommon in the U.S., good dry sherry in particular.
I would like to see a comparison between this and the bunnahabhain 12 cask strength. Probably apples to oranges but they are two of my favorite high proof non peated scotches.
Thats a fun idea
The Bunna is lightly peated
You should try other batches if can find them The single digits batches is amazing. Been drinking A'Bunadh for years, started at batch 9. (Yummy) The high alcohol content burns your fast buds, try cutting it with lotz of water, it I'll explode in your mouth. You find all new flavors. Little water lotz water up to you. Great stuff
yes ,, don't worry about the non age statement , go by the taste , some non ers have very old whisky in them that is not up to strength so they mix with younger full strength , = good stuff .
Nice review! A'Bunadh is one of my favorite ever Scotches. The batches do vary a bit, but my least favorite was still very good. Currently I have 069 too, and it's fantastic IMO, the best A'Bunadh I've tried to date.
Terrific review Bill. I agree with you wholeheartedly on the nose, taste, and finish notes you pointed out. I have batch #74 and I paid $121 for it. I could have picked it up for $100 but would have had to drive across the state for it (Florida). Everyone has their “price ceiling” of what they are willing to,pay for a scotch. Mine is around $100. It’s rare that I will spend more than that. Is this scotch worth $100? Yes, it is.
The high ABV doesn’t burn or leave you with a scorched tongue. It’s surprisingly smooth. I drink half a dram neat, and the other half with water. That works for me. The neat experience is terrific in that I get all those deep , rich, and dark sherry notes along with the oak as you said. With water it becomes more like a traditional sherried scotch. I have read that the newer batches aren’t as good as the older ones. I find that statement amusing because that’s what everyone says about every scotch! I love Ardbeg and everyone says Ardbeg “isn’t what it used to be”. Gotta call BS on that one. I have been drinking Ardbeg for decades. It’s just as good as it always was.
@alandiaz1041 : I always wonder how much you guys earn as a salary at your job. So many guys say that they are paying $100 to $120 for an Aberlour A'bunadh. Currently the price for the Batch 077 has increased to €75 in Germany and I am not going to pay this anymore.
Great review. I love this one. But with the rising prices I tend to go to Glenfarclas 105 instead.
In NY/NJ/CT area 105 is hard to find and more expensive than A'bunadh, and Aberlour is expensive. So sad.
Honestly , after years of expensive scotch and bourbon , this one is my favourite. I have never had a more flavourful scotch. It’s not for the faint of heart but if you can get past the high alcohol ( which can be tamed with a drop of water ) you will be become a believer. Lol.
It took me a good few days but I’ve been able to nicely adjust to the high ABV. It’s delicious and really reminds me of a nice glass of sherry/port/PX, despite being a hell of a lot stronger!
Wow and well, wow ! You're spot on about this btl. If it's that good, but is it a ' gotta run out ASAP and pull the trigger " wow purchase 🤔😳
I wouldn't say so, because they do a good job keeping them on the shelves :)
This is the last of my ‘sweet’ go-to’s still in production: Balvenie 21 Portwood, Macallan 18, and this - this was always on par with those as far as I am concerned. It’s the cask-strength fire without losing the complexity of Balvenie but smooth like Macallan 18.
Definitely on my radar to try one day. I thought I loved sherry bombs, but I've been striking out lately. But I've heard more than a few people suggest this one.
The ABV is the only warning I'd give. But it's a good one
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary For sure, I'd probably water it down a bit. I can only take so much 60%+ stuff at once anymore lol.
Hello from France, had the oppotunity to get a bottle of batch 61 for around $52. Really liking it, don't know how much it may differ between batches.
Not a significant amount. It's made to hit a flavor profile so it should be consistent! Thanks for stopping by. Fun to see France show up
Such a good pour and $85 in NH while $110 in my state so worth the drive.
Great video, I just bought the bottle and enjoyed sharing a dram.
It's one that I think people skip over, but definitely shouldnt
I love seeing you so happy. Glad you found a good one 🥃
Me too! Affordable and attainable is good... but sometimes I need a treat!
G’day Bill-Sounds like a great drop-Thanks for introducing it to those like me who haven’t come across it before 🥃cheers
One of my favorites scotch period. I didn't know there were up to 25 yrs scotch in the bend. That explains why it tastes the way it does when you compare it to young scotch. I need to get myself another bottle but they are around $120 in my Total Wine. On line I can find it under $100 but then the shipping gets me. Great review Bill! Cheers!
Nice! I also have batch 69! Niceeeeeeeee
Niceeeee
Ahhhh- ber- lure. Got to pronounce scotch names correctly.
@samscott54 if you look around at pronunciations I think you'll learn that I'm saying it correctly. Early on in this channel I mispronounced a couple of things... I go out of my way to make sure I don't do it anymore, this video included.
This is what a review is all about. With my basically zero knowledge of Scotch, this description has me absolutely drooling to try this. I don't see $100 as overpriced if a whiskey is really complex and tasty, oh and the proof is more around my preference.
Thanks Ultrahot. Glad you enjoyed it
Not overpriced but $100 is alot but it's one of the quintessential sherry bombs on the journey.
Not my #1 choice to replace but a no brainier @ ~$90
In Ohio I paid $90
Like orange cleaning fluid. Orange Glo. In the best way possible! 😂
Luckily this year the ABV landed below 60% so I was able to get one. 60% is the legal limit here in Norway. 😏
It is on my 'to buy' list. It can be scarce. At present, there are two bottles in the entire state. It goes for $110 per 750ml bottle here in the PNW. I've heard that Edradour 12 Caledonia is in the same ballpark. If so, it comes in at $85. Sherried single malts dominate my collection, by far, but I suspect I shall still be required to "go to the mountain top", at least where sherried Scotch is concerned.
Found a bottle of this from a french website for way cheaper than anywhere in ireland, it's an amazing dram
Great review as always man. I’m glad to see you getting giggly when you love the scotch. haha!
I toured this distillery. It was fun. Nice people.
I do like this big boy whisky. Nice review
Wonderful to watch your review of this amazing scotch!
It’s my favourite as of yet; I normally prefer the sweeter flavour profiles of bourbons and ryes. I think that because it’s being distributed at cask strength, the fact that A’Bunadh has been aged in sherry butts becomes even more apparent.
Despite having a relatively high ABV (61.3% for my batch #76 bottle), I find it very drinkable even when had neat.
The only downside is that I paid about AUD$155/USD$100 for it 🙃
Yikes, that's a high price, but it's a great whisky. One I don't frequently go back to, so it tends to last. Every time I drink It I think "I should drink this more"
Thanks for the review Bill! My father recently shared this with me, he had gotten it as a gift for his 60th. It definitely has all the classic sherry notes cranked to 11. Since it's cask strength, you can start there and slowly add water to see what comes out. Thanks for the review Bill, its clear you really enjoyed this one, and love the passion :). Cheers!
Thanks Jewman. Glad you enjoyed it and got to share it with your dad
I’ve been eyeballing this one for a bit at my local store. It’s the newest batch (not sure which that is), but it’s around $88. Thoughts? Thanks everyone!
Not sure what the newest batch is either but for 88 that sounds pretty awesome
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Okay awesome! I’ll scoop it up and report back to you with regards to batch number! 👍
For 88$? Get three.
I paid $100 for batch #76. Get two for that price!
I spent $177.00 taxes in, in B.C. Canada. Not for me.😂 I wanted my younger brother to have it for his collection.
Yea thats stupid high priced
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary it’s a one off. He helps me with bull work. Can’t wait to try it!
Doubtful there's any whisky above 15 (or 12) in the Abunadh bottlings nowadays. Definitely not up to 25, no way.
Earliest bottlings were.
Possible. I found the claim of 25 years from a few different places, but they could have gotten the info from eachother.
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary I do believe that information will be outdated.
Makes sense. Hard to keep that kind of stock around
Aberlour was the standout dark-horse distillery I visited. Super good. (circa 2011)
AHH BOO NAHD
Great review Bill 👌 I especially liked the supposed tangent. That to me was very important to describing this whiskey and how it’s different from other Sherry finished whiskeys. Anyhoo I’ve had something similar, Tamdhu Batch Strength. It’s a bit full on with similar abv and packed full of flavour. Have you tried it? Would be interested in how they compare.
I love it!
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary cool which one are you buying if you could only buy one?
I could guess at what would be my favorite but I'd want to drink them side by side. I'd happily give you an answer but it's been a while since I've had the Tamdhu
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary ahhh ok that’s fair, until then then! 👍
how does it compare to the Casg Annamh?
Haven't had it yet, sadly. But now that I've done the distillery, I can do the whisky!
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary Just realized that the Abunadh Alba if not sherried and aged in American Oak. Alba means oak
Yup
Currently $120 in Maryland + $20 tax, so spent $140 on this, gift to myself
Sherry is white wine, not red. You're confusing it with Port.
I appreciate the clarification... it's funny. I've only ever drank darker sherries and discuss oloroso and PX as well as Amontollado... all of which are dark. I totally made the assumption that it was red all these years. Wow. Thanks!
@@TheWhiskeyDictionary You're welcome and I appreciate the response. Now that I think about it, sherries are dark so I understand why one would assume that they're a red wine. It's a shame good sherry is uncommon in the U.S., good dry sherry in particular.
Aberlour 16 double matured is a better dessert cake than Dalmore