This is the one whisky you need to drink on Burns Night
Made by hand and released in small batches, the A’bunadh has achieved cult status among drinks enthusiasts
With Burns Night approaching, now’s probably the right moment to invest in some of the finest Scotch that your paycheque can get you. And, as Scotland’s most famous poet would have likely encouraged you to do, that involves honouring Scottish legacy and traditional methods when selecting that special tipple. Aberlour is the name that first springs to our mind, with the venture having showcased its tried-and-true whisky production since its 1879 launch – ‘Let the deed show’ goes the family motto that shaped the founder’s approach – and in its A’bunadh – a lost single-malt reborn and aged in a selection of Spanish ex-oloroso sherry butts – you’ll find the ideal libation for the occasion.
Meaning ‘the original’ in Gaelic, made by hand and released in small batches, the A’bunadh has achieved cult status among drinks enthusiasts and is partly defined by its use of local soft spring water that helps create a supple flavour. When taking it in, first expect a deep aroma of praline and mixed spices, before hints of oloroso sherry reach you. Then, for the taste, there are hits of black cherries with orange; bitter dark chocolate; and dried fruit. Sherry and oak notes, from the casks, enliven the profile, and an intense bitter-sweet smack finishes it all off.
With its full body and richness, this is a whisky of little sweetness and even less smoke. For the best way to appreciate this mahogany-hued glory, either have it neat or on the rocks – or, given that it rarely goes below 60 per cent ABV, you may want to splash it with a bit of high-quality mineral water to take the edge away.
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