Aberlour A’bunadh Alba
Here we are again. Aberlour - my Achilles' heel, as I've said before. The distillery where it all started for me, the one I keep returning to even when I know I should probably explore elsewhere. But this time is different. This time I'm trying something I've been genuinely excited about: the A'bunadh Alba.
For those unfamiliar with the A'bunadh range, these are Aberlour's cask strength, non-age-statement bottlings. The original A'bunadh is a sherry bomb - packed with those rich, dried fruit flavours that Aberlour has built its reputation on. But Alba takes a completely different path. Instead of sherry casks, this expression is matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels. For a distillery so closely associated with sherry, this is quite the departure.
I'm trying batch #007 here, and I've been curious to see how Aberlour's spirit handles the bourbon cask treatment without that sherry blanket to fall back on.
Bottle
The A'bunadh Alba shares the same distinctive bottle design as its sherried sibling - that wonderful squat, sturdy shape with thick glass and substantial weight that makes it feel like it means business. Where the standard A'bunadh has deep amber-brown wax on the neck that screams "sherry," the Alba opts for cleaner, lighter tones that hint at its bourbon cask heritage. It's unmistakably part of the A'bunadh family, but with its own identity. The presentation feels premium without being unnecessarily fussy, which I appreciate.
Colour
This is where things get interesting. Naturally coloured (as all A'bunadh bottlings are - thank goodness), the Alba pours a yellow gold that's leagues lighter than its sherry-matured cousin. It's closer to a chardonnay or white Burgundy in colour - a beautiful, bright gold that catches the light. You can immediately see the impact of those bourbon barrels versus sherry casks. No artificial colouring here to muddy the waters - what you see is what you get.
Nose - The nose is surprisingly delicate for a cask strength whisky sitting at around 59% ABV. There's a lovely sweetness right away - think orchard fruits, particularly ripe pears and fresh apples, maybe even a hint of apricot. Underneath that fruitiness is plenty of vanilla from the American oak, along with honey and a touch of citrus. It's floral too - almost perfumed - with orange blossom coming through. There's a creamy quality to it as well, like vanilla custard or buttercream. The alcohol is there, naturally, but it's not aggressive. Give it time in the glass and you'll pick up some baking spices - cinnamon and a whisper of nutmeg.
Palate - Here's where the cask strength makes itself known. Even for someone who doesn't mind higher ABV whiskies, this one has a bit of heat to it neat. The sweetness from the nose carries through - loads of vanilla and honey, with those orchard fruits still present. But there's also a peppery spice that builds, along with some oak influence that gives it structure. The texture is creamy and coating, which I wasn't expecting. There's citrus here too - lemon zest mainly - which brightens things up. A few drops of water really help tame the alcohol heat without killing the flavours. With water, it becomes more approachable, revealing more of the fruit character and softening that spicy edge.
Finish - Medium length, sweet and spicy. The vanilla lingers longest, with cinnamon and a touch of oak tannin providing a slightly drying quality. There's a gentle warmth that stays with you rather than a burning sensation. Pleasant enough, though it doesn't quite have the depth or complexity of the finish on the sherry-matured A'bunadh.
Overall
The A'bunadh Alba is an interesting experiment from Aberlour, and I'm genuinely pleased they've done it. It proves that their spirit can absolutely stand up without the sherry crutch - there's real character here. The bourbon cask maturation showcases a brighter, fruitier, more delicate side of Aberlour that you don't often see in their core range.
That said, I have mixed feelings about it. At more than £80, this sits in a crowded price bracket, and while it's undoubtedly good, I'm not convinced it's great. The youth of the spirit shows through at times - there's a slight rawness that even the cask strength can't fully hide. It's enjoyable, don't get me wrong, but it lacks the depth and richness that makes the standard A'bunadh so compelling, even at its now-inflated price.
For bourbon lovers who want to explore Scotch, this is an excellent gateway. For Aberlour fans like myself who are used to the sherried expressions, it might take some adjustment. I'm glad I bought it, and I've enjoyed working through the bottle, but I doubt I'll replace it once it's gone. I'd rather put that money toward another bottle of something more interesting - or just save up for the next batch of the standard A'bunadh.
If you can find it on offer for £65-70, I'd say grab it. At full price? Maybe try a dram in a bar first.
Typically available for around £85