Aberlour A'bunadh

These tasting notes are part of the same rediscovered notes from last October, and, mercifully, they're still interesting to me at the very least.

From a purchased sample

Nose: Very rich and slightly sweet cherries, chocolate, vanilla extract, menthol, and dark red berry jam. As it opens up I found more of the fudgy characteristics in fig compote and fruit cake. Orange liqueur and pecan pie filling (who doesn't like any of that?) It's nice and very approachable.

Palate: Warm and a little fiesty (current note to self: duh.) I really like this. Chocolate malt, cherries, strawberry jam. Wood is a little drying and provides some structure. Orange rind, chocolate and orange liqueur. There's a trend here. Maybe a subtle strain of honey and buttery caramel. Definitely pecan pie. (I like this a lot; I also happened to be a very fat kid. I really liked pecan pie.) Oxidative note from the sherry.

Finish: Very well on sherry - all around. The high-pitch and the low-pitch. Cherries, red apple meat, strawberries, and fortified wine (none of that Manischewitz nonsense.) Chocolate malt, pecan, and burned creme with sugar. Not the most finessed, but then what would you want from a sherry monster?