Aberlour A'bunadh Batch 52

5

I've always been impressed with Aberlour's whiskys, and over the years I have come to find that their A'Bunadh range is one the best whiskys, not only in their range, but in the entire market. This batch is exceptional, and my only advice to you would be to add a little water to really open up the flavours. This whisky presents exceptional value for money, especially at the cast strength of 60%, adding water makes it go even further. 5* all round for this classic!

5

Just as good as the early-mid batch 40s in my opinion. I would skip batches 48, 50 and 51 and go straight for this if you want the real a''bunadh experience.

5

I haven''t had all the batches but I remember what this was like about 4 years ago and recent batches have definitely lost that strong sherry profile and the dried fruits seems to have gone completely, which for me is a good thing. I had one about a year ago and wasn''t impressed - it seemed heavily engineered and very under-matured. Compared to batch 51, batch 52 is a clear improvement - much less firey and a longer finish, hinting at older whiskys being used. It is very complex and with no obvious flaws, just a less overtly sherried profile compared to earlier batches. For me it is just as good, and still a real bargain.

4

No real improvement on the batch #51.....though not the disaster that #50 was. I rue the passing of the 40s....these now -so far- seem all to have much young spirit and indifferent woods as the #52 -to my taste-only becomes really palatable when give5-10mins and a 50% dilution (to around 30%ABV).....and ,as many Scots, prefer a fuller 43-46% (-or even neat!) dram......so suspect they have either run out of ''the good stuff'', or are perhaps, designing for a French market who may prefer their whisky diluted.... Am hoping for a return to earlier quality, but suspect they may be hoping to wear down the discernment of younger folk, (or those who can''t remember )....who will then hardly have an opportunity to discover the true glory that A''Bunadh can display......at least on most peoples income.

4

No real improvement..... While certainly not as much of a disappointment as batch #50 this is still nowhere near most of the 40s......Yet again an over playing of young spirit and indifferent woods....one suspects perhaps designed for the French market as it needs almost 50:50 dilution to around 30% ABV and a good 5 mins or more to breathe before becoming particularly palatable.....many of us in Scotland -and certainly the ''old guard'' prefer 43-46% -or even neat.,....(at which previous batches seemed perfectly happy) ....Sales and marketing trying to influence a younger generation who haven''t had the chance know about ''better''..... The shape of things to come I fear....Quite possibly as they don''t have enough of ''the good stuff'' left.....or ,more likely aren''t prepared to release it at this price point.......shame........ Slainte (old mid-Banffshire farmer,just a wee bit downthe road from many of the old ''''marques''''....now bought up by International corporations who have built stainless steel 24x7 alcohol factories behind them and are busy cashing in on the older reputation)......