Aberlour A'Bunadh batch 46

I hava a bottle of the 46, but I haven't opened it as yet--still working on my 37. Dunno if I could be much help anyway, due to my limited experience (I tend to see whiskies as those I like, and those I don't, without much subtlety or fine discrimination).

@Nozinan I picked up the Batch 46 yesterday. I'll give you an impression when I try it -- soon I'm sure.

@two-bit-cowboy Looking forward to your take on this one as it is the only bottling available here and I have read mixed reviews. Really want to try A'Bunadh and we only get about 6 bottles per year in my neck of the woods. The last one available was batch 41 and I passed on that one.

@Nozinan @Jonesz here's my take ...

The nose might be one of the absolute best of the A'bunadhs I've tried. All the dried fruits, chocolate, light citrus, and almond extract. Really rich and rewarding. The 60.4% immediately has something to say to your mouth -- high octane. The second wee sip is gentler and you still get all the nose's attributes. You know it's A'bunadh, there's no doubt about that. I didn't try water, but that might tame the beast a bit. I see it at upwards of $80 around the country, but I wouldn't let that go for the Batch 46. Glenfarclas 105 for a bit more is far superior.

I loved batch 45 so much. I have a case of it in reserve. A superb whiskey. One of the finest sherry finishes you will find for the price.

I can't stand 46. I have an open bottle for a couple of months now. Never want to engage it. I actually brought a case of 46 and returned it. Look for glendronach cask strenght or glenfarclas 105..

In fact if you can find any of the batch 45 left. It might be worth buying and holding onto it. It will become a classic. I say some of batch 38 sell at recent whiskey auctions for 140€!

I saw!

@Misty @two-bit-cowboy So the jury is still out on this one, these two takes on batch 46 kind of mirror other things I have read. TBC as I have to part with $80 plus 13% tax ( puts it over $90 Cdn)I think I will pass on this one as well. I am from an area where choices are limited eg only Farclas available is 12 yr. I may wait and hopefully pick up some better bottlings when south this winter. Thanx guys

Thoughts: Get your hands on the Amrut Intermediate Sherry.

@Misty

38 was one of my least favourite batches (still undecided on the 36), so my other batches will probably increase in value.

@MCM - I agree, Amrut IS is great. But is doesn't do well as the second in a series of cask strengthers. On it's own, awesome.

@Nozinan I know what you mean about 38. Not bad, but not great. For me first place goes to batch 24 and a very close second goes to batch 45.

The worst thing for me on Aberlour batch 46, is I don't feel well the next day after just 3 drams.

I have drunk way more drams of batch 45 in a single sitting and wake up the next day as if I had been drinking nothing more nefarious than warm milk the previous evening! Fantastic stuff.

We opened a bottle of Batch 46 at our Aberlour tasting a couple of weeks ago...I agree with @two-bit-cowboy in that the nose was phenomenal, and then it was very, very hot - something that you didn't get from the nose...the common feeling after the tasting was that you should probably add a bit of water to tame it down a little.

This was the first batch that I've tried, so I have nothing to compare it against, but it wasn't bad.

I have greatly enjoyed the batch 45 too. Like Misty, I am trying to put away a reserve case, but I am having to do it one, or if lucky, two bottles at a time. Quite challenging as vendors in my part of the world only order one or two replacement bottles at a time from the State supplier. And the vendor is stuck with whatever batch(s) is sent. No returns. So that has kept me from ordering a case outright through a local vendor. My handful of sources down state are not any better. Most of those either still have (the decent) batch 44 on their shelves, or are now getting batch 46. I would like to try the batch 46, but the mixed reviews have made me cautious. Plus, I am still trying to sip through an open bottle of batch 41. Even though the reviews were overwhelmingly negative, I found that my bottle is not as bad as I expected (the Michigan/mid-west US based reviews tended to be more positive than the others). That said, it definately is not a great batch either. Per A'bunadhman's suggestion, it now resides in a large decanter, with a small messure of spring water added, and lots of room to breath. I am hoping that might help bring out whatever positive qualities it may yet have to share. My fingers are crossed.

@cherylnifer Yes I'm in a similar position and just recently found a few more bottles of 45 in a local shop here in Ireland. A happy find!

@Misty

Sadly, I will have to make do with my single bottle of 45. Unless you are planning to come to Canada and bring some...

No immediate plans, but I will bear it in mind! ;-)

The question is what are you going to do with your 45, open it or save it for a very special occasion?

Actually I hear a rumor (from an occasionally reliable source) that Aberlour had an issue with batch 45 production and ended up having to blend in some far older casks in the final vatting than is usual for the A'bunadh.It certainly would explain the marked step up in quality and finish with 45.

If only they could limit the batch variation.........

@Misty

I will be opening the 45 when I turn 45. Got to taste it sometime....

Got my hands on a batch 37, for the original price! So happy right now, since I've read good stories about it. Previously tasted a batch 39 and owned a 42. Maybe I'll try to get a 45 now that it's still available. But I will definitely skip the 46.

Finally found a shop nearby with some dusty bottles for old prices. Only problem is: which Whisky to unload him from first, before someone else finds out.

He's still got an old Octomore and an old Balvenie 21y Portwood for around €110,- Yeah!

@wtrstrnghlt

If you're going to get them all eventually, might as well get them all now. Otherwise you'll regret the ones you miss out on...

@Nozinan so true

I have not tried any of other A'Bunadh's yet but I have a bottle of batch 47 and I find it to be really rather tasty.

@Misty May good fortune keep coming your way, because your good karma continues to provide for me here in the U.S. My husband returned last night from a business trip to mid-state Michigan and surprised me with two bottles of batch 45 he located at a small liquor store he stopped at. Happy day !

wow, someone must love this batch because there are only 27 bottles left in Ontario.

I'll take a pass but i hope the LCBO gets the 47 in. It's a prime number so it has to be good, right? Or does it? I heard not so good stuff about the 41 and the 43 was never publicly released. 37 seemed ok though...still waiting to try it.

@Misty

Have you had a chance to return to the 46? I wonder if it's like the 36... Needing some time after opening to develop. While not my favourite batch, it seems to have improved past the early sulfury stage and has opened a little.

@cherylnifer

Well done, I am delighted for you! Batch 45 really is something else.

I was at a recent blind tasting where 45 was matched against the old macallan 12 year old cask strength (which was super) and a very expensive macallan 31 (or was 32) year old cask strength.

People were blown away by the 45, and had presumed it was some sort of 20 year old macallan! Very highly scored.

Keep hunting! ;-)

@Nozinan

Hi, yes i have returned to 46 and it has improved a slight bit (the finish in particular). But I never really go looking for a dram of it - if you know what I mean.

I have a 45 open at the moment and I compared it again to 46. It's just a no brainer. 45 drinks like a 30-40 year old (kinda like the Glenfarclas 40 year old '105'). Batch 46 really drinks like a rough, 'very hot' NAS. To be fair it becomes bearable with oxidation, but I would literally prefer a bottle of JamesonTeachers to it. But i certainly will not be buying another bottle of it. Just noticed that the price has dropped in some places for Batch 46 down to 40 euro's.

@Misty Thanks for your kindness.

I have resigned myself into believing that batch #45 has completely dried up in Michigan. Over the past five weeks, I have been unable to locate one single bottle to purchase. So, for the purpose of filling the four remaining empty slots in a cardboard liquor box, I purchased bottles of A'bunadh batch #44. I know that it has also (generally) been well received, and that some even prefer it over the batch #45. Feel good about my decision to buy the #44, but remain on the hunt for more bottles of batch #45.

@cherylnifer: Grab any batch #42 you can find - It is drinking superbly! It is a classic example of how well some of the better batches open up.

Cheers.