Aberlour A'Bunadh batch 46

@A'bunadhman

Happy to hear that! I have 2 bottles of the "answer to life the universe and everything" batch waiting for special occasions to open

@A'bunadhman; I most certainly will buy batch #42 if/when encountered. But I have yet to find one. Seems like Michigan was a popular location for batch #44. From what I have read, that is far from a bad thing. But I purchased my oldest batch (#41) last April in Ohio. Turned out that with some time to breath, batch #41 turned out to be very enjoyable, with lots of rich, dried fruit favors. Getting laughed at by spouse about the quickly growing "collection". I pointed out that he has more than enough guns to man every window in our house if "invaded". My collection is just more enjoyable to savor during the darkest, coldest of days, or most pleasant of nights.

I don't intend to hijack this thread about Batch 46, but I have an A'Bunadh question. I have a bottle of batch 15 from 2006 which I am saving for lord knows what. Can anyone remember if it's an above or below average batch?

@PhilC

There are few bad batches, even the below average ones. Batch 15 is probably as rare as a truthful politician. If I had it, I would open it (on a special occasion) and share it with friends who could really appreciate the rarity.

But if you don't want to do that I'd happily trade you for it...

@Nozinan Haha, thanks for the response. I assumed it must be fairly rare if I could not even find a mention of it on the web. As for it being as rare as an honest politician, there is a difference: my bottle of batch 15 actually exists in real life.

Good advice on saving it for a special occasion with scotch-appreciating friends. I think that will be a long time from now; being only 35, my circle of friends does not include many scotch drinkers (read: one). I'll put it away for 20 years and celebrate my youngest kid moving out (currently in utero). By then I'll have a wiser palate and more friends who have found the wonderful world of scotch.

@PhilC

I agree entirely. Mind you, any of today's batches will be a rare gem in 20 years. One also wonders what improvements might come from the "old bottle effect" after 25 years.

I have a few bottles, some rare ones that I received as a gift, and some not rare but either proven (I've tasted from another bottle), well rated, or really expensive that I've chosen to hold on to until my palate is mature. I think I'm getting there slowly but I'm not there yet.

In the meantime, I suggest you get a more available batch and toast your good fortune.