As good as ever? | Aberlour A'bunadh Batch 80 REVIEW

[@ArnoldToporowski]

Batch 82 is now available in Ontario at LCBO

[@lesterlau]

Aberlour A'bunadh was the one that made me fall in love with whisky! Can't recall which batch it was, but it must have been a newer one. Thanks for the re-review @Gwhisky!

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks for watching buddy. See you next weekend? 🥃

[@lesterlau]

@@Gwhisky Wouldn't miss it! 😁

[@samscott54]

Double ditto. Just the finest ever.

[@markanderson8677]

$60?? It's $125 at the Total Wine in Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA 😞

[@dane5896]

$109.99 at Total Wine in New Jersey.

[@SaltyCuban]

$135 at Total Wine in Miami.

[@eviltrain24]

98.99 in Monterey, CA.

[@Gwhisky]

Seems the cheapest any states have this is around $100, with most costing well over that. Plenty of better pours for the money, imo. Maybe the die hard sherry bombers could justify it... 🥃

[@ja5361]

140$ for it at LCBO in Ontario, last year I watched it jump up 20$ in one night

[@ifnkovhg]

I had this in NC about two years ago. Loved it. I think it sold for $80-90. I'm in CO now and couldn't bring myself to shell out $130 for it.

[@delinquentflair]

A friend and I are splitting a bottle of the Batch 81. My first A'bunadh. For the record, I do love a good sherry bomb once in a while - I like Glendronach 18, Glenallachie 10 Cask Strength or 12, Glenfarclas 15. And I'm really enjoying this A'bunadh. It's brighter, very citrus-y. It actually reminds me a lot of drinking a *very* well-made Old Fashioned cocktail - the orange peel, slight bubble-gummy aromas, high alcohol but in a pleasant way. It didn't need water, but water improved it.

[@jamescostigan3721]

A'Bunadh is about $90 - $100 on average in New England. I have had Batches 67 & 75 and loved them both. I have a comparably priced Glenallachie 10 Batch 8 and I also definitely prefer the Aberlour, it being just a more pleasing flavor experience for me. GF 105 is too pricey ($125+) to try and I have yet to find the Arran Sherry anywhere, though I'd buy it without question if I do see it, such is my affinity for Arran. Thanks for the review. Cheers!

[@jasonwest9425]

Here in Canada this is now priced itself out of sight. Last week it was $156. For that I may as well just pay an extra $50 and go to Kavalan Oloroso cask strength. So I can’t see buying this one again unless there is a drastic reduction on price.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah this is absurdly overpriced in Canada, it seems. Not worth that much for sure. 🥃

[@jasonwest9425]

@@Gwhisky ya it is sad as it is my favorite style.

[@paddyk6902]

@@Gwhiskyits pretty much same as here in the UK

[@darinhaller6034]

I have batch 71 right now and love it!

[@gareth630]

You're knocking them out quick, any way at some stage may have a look at this but just got a Glenalliachie 11 Signatory Oloroso cask at 48,2 %, will let you know. Cheers Geoff.

[@Gwhisky]

Glenallachie Signatory bottlings can be fantastic. Way better than their OB stuff. Cheers! 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

As CS sherries go, A'Bunadh (despite the variations) is a whisky I think everyone should try at least once. Don't know about besting the Glenallachie 10 CS but definitely the 105. I think the Arran stans a bit different due to it's more sulphuric and coastal character. Nice one Geoff, cheers!

[@timl6450]

Great review. I connect with it and it totally clears the bar it sets for itself. Not the best or most complex whiskey, but it delivers what it promises.

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff. Last batch I had was 62. It’s pretty pricey nowadays, it’s probably young as well so it’s not on my shopping list. In fact haven’t bought an Aberlour in a number of years. Last one was the 12 year old non chill filtered version at 48 %, that I liked. Slàinte Geoff 🥃

[@lightplays2181]

Hi Geoff ! I like Aberlour 12yo 48% ...A'Bunadhs price in Tbilisi 90$ ...Cheers !

[@Gwhisky]

Oh pretty expensive there. Cheers my friend! 😒

[@lightplays2181]

@@Gwhisky yeeesss (((

[@thomasmorgan6535]

Hi Geoff, I loved batches 66 and 68, then was a little deterred by the price rises, but considering prices in general these days it’s not too bad value, and I’m fond of this. Very interested to hear how batch 80 is, and will restock. Agree it’s more complex to GA 10 cask strength, GF105 etc. although glendronach cask strength seems its closest companion. Thanks for the review!

[@redsox367]

Really love the A'bunadh, just got a bottle of batch #79 so looking forward to opening that. Great review

[@Rohit_M]

Good revisit of A'bunadh Geoff. I've had batch 69 which was pretty good and a batch 71 on the go for a while now. Maybe small variation between batches but you can't tell unless you have multiple batches side by side. One thing for certain though, the A'bunadh is one of the better sherry bomb whiskies. I see batch 77 and 78 around me but I may wait until my current 71 is through. Cheers!

[@laurentsteck6086]

Great video. I had the batch 9 and 71 as I already mentioned in previous videos. Again the 9 is a killer. I recently got batch 8 at auction. I have to try it though. Didn't have time to get around it. Cheers

[@Gwhisky]

Absolute relics, those. A totally different beast than the modern stuff. Enjoy buddy! 🥃

[@DeesoSaeed]

I finished last winter a batch 74 and I really liked it. It's a great whisky for winter holiday season, better than for summer. I have an unopened batch 61 that I bought for just 57 euros and I'm saving it for next Christmas :D

[@ashythedon]

This sells for $134 at Total Wine & More here in FL

[@Gwhisky]

Damn! Hard pass! 😬🥃

[@stevedemarsico924]

Usually about 100 at least here in NY

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch!

[@yonny73]

Love this Whisky and i think only the Kavalan can compete with its delicious sherrytaste.Always 2 of these in my shelf.Cost 94 usd where i live

[@Iceman-xe7jo]

Bought my first bottle of this a few months back. Had my first crack and hated it. Way too much alcohol. Put it on the shelf. Came back at it 2 months later. Completely different experience. I really like it. It opened up very well with that rest. One of my favs on my shelf now.

[@GuruPrashanth7970]

Interesting... i might have to wait 2 months to find out if i like a whisky or not? Thats depressing.

[@Iceman-xe7jo]

@@GuruPrashanth7970 you may or may not. It happened to be with bourbons also. Get past the neck pour and if it doesn’t seem like the flavors are coming through let it sit for a bit. It can make a difference in the experience.

[@SaltyCuban]

Still have batch 46 & 56 open and 45 sealed. Don’t think I’ll be getting any more sherry bomb CS for a good long while. Still have several Edradour 12 yr CS, a couple 2022 Bunna CS and the 2023. I think I’m fast leaning away from these styles myself.

[@murgh]

I'm on batch 72 and enjoy reaching for it occasionally. Like you say, it's a "fun" one, but an aspect that always comes to my mind is the amount of wood tannins that I feel are very extracted and upfront. It melds with the pepperyness but I wish it was less noticeable.

[@Soldano999]

I use a few drops of my abdunah 60% to pimp up my much cheaper 14Y/O sherry finish 40%. It basically turns the boring watered down chill filtered 14 into super sayan mode.

[@bluesmanen1]

Always interesting with this one, last one I had was batch 63, a really good one. At the moment I've got an unopened batch 57 and one batch 76....looking forward to both of them. In Sweden the price tag is 999skr ($88)

[@christinecamley]

Hi Geoff! Terrific review! I haven't had Batch 80 but this batch sounds very nice. I have found huge batch variation in the A'bunadh. Overall I enjoy it a lot when I am in the mood for a sherry bomb. Like you I have drifted away from sherry bomb scotch whiskies quite a bit but I will try and track down a Batch 80! It sounds a lot spicier than usual. I did find spice in the last couple of batches but it's wasn't at all too intense. I totally agree that the A'bunadh tops the Glen Allachie cask strength and the Glen Farclas 105! Absolutely! All 3 that you mentioned. Very comprehensive review and awesome thoughts! They are much appreciated and super enjoyable!! Love your humour! Cheers!! 🙂

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks for all the support and enthusiasm, Christine. Genuinely means a lot. Cheers! 🥃

[@christinecamley]

@@Gwhisky Hey I love your channel! Yes I chuckled at the 69! Okay I had to! Lol! Humour is awesome! Have a fabulous weekend Geoff! Cheers! 🙂

[@ramanb]

I have a mouthful of the #45 which was spectacular. Fruity, well sherried and delicious! I have #49 unopened. I'll be definitely buying more.

[@Gwhisky]

I got into this stuff in the early 40s! 🥃

[@WhiskyWolf514]

Never had the Abunah but I don't think I ever will - unless someone gifts it to me or buys me a dram. Last Aberlour I had was the 12 Non chilfiltered. It was fine but I gifted it to a friend halfway through a bottle. Don't get me wrong - Aberlour 12 has a sweet memorial spot in my whisky journey. But I think at some point most enthusiasts outgrow the brand as they expend their curiosity and Ventura into new kinds of whiskys. Thanks for the review Geoff good stuff as always 🎉 Cheers Buddy 🥃🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Hah that's fair. I have some enthusiast friends that enjoy the brand, but they're in the minority. Some people swear by their sherry, and I do have a soft spot for the A'bunadh specifically, but yeah it's definitely not "my brand." Cheers! 🥃

[@xxacidmv]

I haven't tried A'Bunadh, but it is in limited availability near me (not 100% sure on which batch as I wasn't paying attention). But in CT (USA) it is running $120ish.

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch! Way too pricey! 🥃

[@SimonneNZ]

I have Batch 74 which I bought 18 months ago and still have about 1/2 a bottle left. I paid $110 NZD for it, but it has increased in price since then, now around $130. The most readily available one here is Batch 76 although I think there may be some Batch 77 around. My bottle is pretty good, definitely a sherry bomb, but it took a few months to open up. At first all I could taste was overpowering alcoholic treacle and not much else. A few months later it was a lot better. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Good to know. This one's been open for a bit, and I think it's improved slightly, but it's certainly not as good as some of my previous bottles from the last couple years. Cheers Simonne! 🥃

[@jckbquck]

Geoff, how does "A'Bunadh Alba" differ from this? I received a bottle of Alba a couple of Christmases ago. I like it very much.

[@Gwhisky]

I like the Alba. All bourbon cask matured as opposed to sherry. A nice, clean, biting bottling that showcases the spirit more. I like it too! Cheers, buddy. Hope all's well! 🥃

[@hansvaneenennaam457]

Hi Geoff, never had the A'bunadh. Had the 18 y/o and the 12 y/o non chill filtered, both not really my cup of tea. And must say, based on your review I am not really tempted to try one. As the A'bunadh is around 70 euro's here at a big on line shop, I would rather spend 15 euro's more and get me a Glengarioch 15 y/o sherry cask matured. Which is a great whisky.

[@Gwhisky]

Hey buddy. I can't argue with that. For €15 more I'd be getting that Glen Garioch 15 as well. Much better stuff! 🥃

[@clintondeabreu8565]

Agree 200% with you, it’s absolutely a step up from Glenallachie 10, much better than GF105 and the new Aaron Sherry.

[@brukuns]

I wonder how the A'bunadh fares against the GlenAllachie 10. I'll grab a dose of the A'bunadh from a buddy to make a comparison myself, this is a bottle I currently don't have.

[@SebMoellerM]

The most recent batch I tried of this was Batch “Whichever one my friend Mark had in his cupboard 8-ish years ago”. That was a particularly okay batch

[@Gwhisky]

Everyone knows Mark has the good stuff. 🥃

[@MrResinrider]

Hey Geoff. How do you go about deciding how much water to add ? I certainly do add water sometimes but I have started to take a different approach where I drink water with the whiskey instead of adding water to the whiskey. I take a sip of water and let it coat my mouth, then take a sip of whiskey. Just the coating of water on my palate seems to work really well. Try it out!

[@Gwhisky]

That's a clever technique! 🥃 I usually add a couple drops at a time, no more.

[@TheDramDiaries]

Batch 64 was the last I purchased, and it was very good. Definitely better than the glenfarclas 105 in my opinion, but I do prefer glenallachie 10yr CS and Bunnahabhain 12yr CS though.

[@dirkp.6181]

Cannot say anything about the newer batches, but I confess that I consider my #17 to be quite good. Maybe I am wrong, but I feel like the older batches not only look darker ...

[@mtpanning]

I'm generally not much of a sherry bomb guy, either, but I gotta admit, this stuff is pretty damn good. I don't know if it's consistently better or worse than the Glenfarclas 105 or the Tamdhu Batch Strength, all of which I like (most of the time). They all seem quite batchy. The Glenfarclas is sometimes bit sulfurous, which is a turnoff to me. In general, I think the Tamdhu is the most consistently excellent. The cask strength is a big draw for me. I always thought the bottle was awesome. For years, I've used an old Aberlour bottle for my "infinity bottle."

[@ElieJobert-v2u]

Hi! I my opinion if I want this kind of big sherry matured, it's more worth it to go to IB. I prefer Abunadh alba! 😉

[@Gwhisky]

Good point about the IBs. Yes some of the best sherry bombs are not standard OB bottlings! As for the Alba, I'm also a big fan! 🥃

[@skramzy6628]

First! Ever consider reviewing any American Single Malts? Are any representatives of that category even available in your part of the world? Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Yes I have had a few. Not much access here but I can and will touch on ASMs at some point. Cheers! 🥃

[@jackthepickledhound]

ASM is up and coming. I have found that cask strength Sherry bombs can be world class, absolutely comparable to the A'bunadh.

[@markoneill5110]

Hi Geoff. Did you move to Taiwan for the low price of single malts? Or was it something less interesting like work?

[@Gwhisky]

The latter, sadly. Should probably start lying about that. 😉

[@dfrever216]

A bit of a unrelated question: Do you keep open bottles for long on your shelf? Do they go flat? I drink quite slowly and keep wanting to try different bottles, I am concerned ill ruin all my whisky if i leave it all half full for years at a time.

[@jackthepickledhound]

The more air the more oxidation. All the way down to about 200ml is rumored to be fine. I would decant off into a smaller bottle or try wine preserver. It's a spray of inert gas to replace the air. I am in the same boat as you so when I open a new bottle it's a real occasion. I always ask...how many cask strength peat monsters is reasonable to have open on the shelf? 5? 10? 15? I think the peat will mellow more than the sherry but I'm just making that up.

[@forlornHope]

Cheers 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Cheers right back at you! 🥃

[@HenrikLassu-igenyteremtes]

Are you planning to review anything from the newish Glencadam range? Not a massive fan of the previous ones, but the finished versions have some exciting ones

[@Gwhisky]

I haven't seen any of those new Glencadams here. In fact Glencadam isn't easy-to-find in a lot of shops here. If I come across them I'll definitely grab them, though. Incredible brand. 🥃

[@welshtoro3256]

Okay, fool, I was born in 1969. What you getting at 🤠💪? I love 69 bro. Great vintage 😛. We were all so disappointed when Aberlour screwed up their prices. I buy this on sale when the price is reduced by £20 or so. It does have some age respectable whisky in it and still does things right. It's the only Aberlour worth buying IMHO. Not long ago I challenged Roy on a live stream to go back to it because I had a decent 70's batch. My last 70's batch wasn't as good but it was still pretty good, old style, sherry whisky at high strength. Not many places where we can find that these days. I completely agree that it is better than any high proof sherry at the price. Aberlour are an interesting distillery. They have so much potential and could be so much better but...do they need to be? The largest distillery in terms of sale in France and they drink a lot of whisky. The rest of the world buys their whisky as well. I think they've gone downhill. The old 10 was a lovely 40% whisky regular but it's gone. The A'bunadh is a bit too batchy and I have to agree with Roy; It's not as good as it once was. The level of quality is slowly declining as is our critical faculty. Last night I opened a bottle of Old Pulteny 21 I had bunkered and tasting it took me back 10 years when we were drinking and reviewing real quality, affordable, whisky.

[@leonardonetorosa7004]

Here in Brazil it's no less than $180!

[@ironmantran]

WAD UP , Boss G ! i find Abunadh getting lighter (less dark fruits) as things progress . . . yes, bang-for-a-buck , cheap.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! The rich, darker, heavier notes are far less prominent nowadays. Cheers! 🥃

[@jackthepickledhound]

Dude....it took you nine minutes to say that one sentence.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Even with the value prop of watering down the Scotch to your liking these range from $100 to $130 USD before tax in my area. I have some from previous years that I have saved: I’m not buying these anymore unless they’re discounted heavily. It’s just too expensive when I hear it can be had for 60-70 GBP.

[@nsxfan16]

A'bunadh was my 1st sherry bomb ever. It was batch 62. Got it around 2020. Edit: only paid 75 euros at the time. Different times.

[@simardeepsingh8037]

Some websites mention that it has added colors. Please re verify

[@Lovemelikeareptile]

Recently picked up a bottle of A'bunadh (batch 77) and a bottle of Casg Annamh (batch 0007) and am wondering which you prefer, if you have a favorite at all. Also, was that a bottle of Glen Garioch 15? Haven't seen that on a shelf near me if so.

[@jackthepickledhound]

Casg Annamh is like a perfect whisky. But it's not a cask strength Sherry Bomb. Absolutely the only two Aberlours I own or want to. Official bottles at least.

[@Lovemelikeareptile]

@@jackthepickledhound I think we are in agreement. IMHO, a cask strength Casg Annamh with an age statement would be nirvana, but with the enjoyment I'm getting from the 48abv NAS I'd be really pleased if they upped it from 48% Boom! to cask strength KAPPOW!!! Either or, both are worth drinking as is. i''''''m

[@Gwhisky]

I prefer the A'bunadh to the Casg generally, but it's a mood thing. The Casg releases can be really spicy and heavy, which occasionally suits me more than A'bunadh. But I think most days I'd reach for A'bunadh first. And yes, that was Glen Garioch 15. It's gone from my market and seemingly quite hard to find in a lot of markets. I know it's still in some Scandinavian markets regularly, but it seems to be either not available or quite spotty everywhere else. 🥃

[@Lovemelikeareptile]

@@Gwhisky After sampling both, I'm not sure I have a clear favourite... They're both very drinkable. As for the Glen Garioch 15, it just so happens that I'll be visiting the Scandinavian area this fall, so I'll keep an eye out for it. I'm keen to see how it differs from the 12, which I think is a great whisky. Thanks for the reply and Cheers! from the West Coast

[@DileepB]

$60 is a great price! $100 in my area.

[@Gwhisky]

Ouch! Seems to be the standard across most states. I'd skip at that price tbh. Cheers! 🥃

[@DileepB]

@@Gwhisky Yup. With local taxes and fees it ends up costing $122!

[@troublesome89]

It would be helpful if you could do a video regarding/describing your current grading scale with some examples. Like, I think this specific whiskey is amazing, and I would grade it as such and such. On the other end of the spectrum, this whiskey is super 'meh' so I would give it a such and such score. This would give us some reference.

[@Steel-l4w]

Batch 23 is the best hands down

[@stevelandwonder4760]

90 quid in the UK. Hmm.

[@Gwhisky]

Nah no thanks. 🥃

[@BanjoSick]

Always the skeuomorphic snobs.

[@masterdad-zf9po]

Last one that I had was a 70s batch and I confess I didn’t love it. I felt it needed more water than I’d put in for any other scotch, and a comment I received from someone who works at a different Scottish distillery said to me that if i have to water it down (that much), maybe I just don’t like it! They had a point. And in Ontario it’s overpriced for what it is. Last time I looked around $150 cdn, more or less. So I’ll pass on this one - there are better options out there for the $ .

[@agrainofmalt]

Batch 69? NICE!

[@samscott54]

Was gifted my last bottle a month ago and it was gone in a week. I was trying to be a good boy and make it last. Fail

[@kamahhl]

This or Tamdhu CS?

[@Gwhisky]

Both batchy, but overall I'd probably lean Tamdhu. 🥃

[@samscott54]

Ahh -ber-lure is the main reason I started drinking Scotch. Discovered it in Edinburgh the first night we were there. But please learn to pronounce it ! :-))

[@Gwhisky]

Actually my pronunciation is correct. Glad you enjoy! 🥃

[@BIGM-gg9ln]

Is that your real hair?

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah lighting always makes it look red. It's actually light brown.

[@whatsthepoint170]

A “warm 84”…I get it…😂

[@sandrotillmann9947]

I NEED to visit Taiwan. Only 60 USD !!!!!

[@Gwhisky]

Yes we're very lucky here. Cheers! 🥃

[@forwork2601]

Wish I was rich like G unit here, then I can drink as many whiskies as I want to

[@Gwhisky]

Rich? No. Financially irresponsible...

[@_fwd_racecar_]

the batch 69 i had seemed to be tainted, off-notes of tangy maritime, spicy bitterness, and funk.

[@kmackenzie162]

So I gather batch 69 was not so not on the tongue 😝

[@JohnnyBrook]

"There's people who add water to every whisky they dr-cough!ralfycough!! - drink."

[@groberti]

Ralfy imho is right, usually these non-chill filtered, oilier, 46% whiskies take it amazingly well. Just a drop and it opens it up nicely

[@JohnnyBrook]

@@groberti Ralfy adds water to everything, even 40% abv whiskies. And liberally too. Not just a few drops, but a teaspoon, to a wee dram of no more than 40ml. Then he complains about the low abv of the whisky, pretty much anything below 45%. Well, if the whisky is too low abv, don’t add water and problem solved!

[@jackthepickledhound]

Putting a touch of water in the glass is not the same as 60% water in the bottle. I'll use my 43% 12 year old Glenfarclas or Glengoyne to open up the cask strength single malts