Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:43 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Explore the contrasts between Aberlour A’bunadh and Aberlour A’bunadh Alba in this comprehensive analysis, and make an informed choice on which Single Malt suits your taste!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Aberlour A’Bunadh vs Alba: Comparison
Aberlour A’Bunadh: Renowned for its rich caramel, chocolate, and dark fruit notes, enhanced by a potent proof that adds depth and intensity. It’s a sherry bomb, perfect for those who love a robust, full-flavored whisky.
Aberlour A’Bunadh Alba: Offers a crisp and clear profile with vanilla, apple, and baking spice, reflecting its bourbon barrel aging. Though slightly less intense than the A’Bunadh, it still provides a rich and satisfying experience.
Verdict: The choice between Aberlour A’Bunadh and A’Bunadh Alba hinges on personal preference for sherry versus bourbon cask influences. The original A’Bunadh is the go-to for a deep, sherry-rich experience, while the Alba version appeals to those who favor the sweeter, vanilla and fruit notes typical of bourbon cask aging. Both offer exceptional quality and complexity, making them excellent additions to any whisky collection, states Scotch expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best Single Malts
Aberlour A’bunadh: A Speyside Dram Rich in Sherry Character
- Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, fig, oak
- Palate: Chocolate, caramel, black pepper
- Finish: Long, oak spice, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 120 proof (60% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Aberlour 16
The Aberlour A’bunadh is a cask-strength, single malt Scotch whisky known for its bold flavors and rich sherry influence.
Aromatic Allure: The initial aroma is dominated by enticing notes of caramel, with hints of brown sugar, fig, and oak adding complexity. Surprisingly, for a high-proof whisky, the alcohol scent is subtle and well-integrated.
Luxurious Mouthfeel: The first sip introduces a luxuriously creamy texture that coats the palate. While the high proof delivers a warming sensation, it remains smooth and avoids any harshness.
Bold Flavor Profile: The taste unfolds with a wave of warmth and peppery spice, followed by rich dark chocolate, decadent caramel, and hints of baking spices. This creates a captivating and full-bodied flavor experience.
Lingering Warmth: The finish is long and warming, leaving behind a delightful aftertaste of oak and lingering baking spices. Each sip delivers a satisfying conclusion.
Aficionado’s Delight: The A’bunadh is not for the faint of heart. Its bold flavors cater to whisky enthusiasts who appreciate a powerful dram. The lack of an age statement signifies its focus on character over age.
Excellent Value: This Speyside single malt offers exceptional value for under $100. The depth and complexity of flavor make it a fantastic choice for those seeking a punchy and flavorful whisky to add to their collection.
A Blast from the Past: A’bunadh, meaning “original” in Gaelic, is a tribute to the whiskies Aberlour produced in the late 19th century. It’s matured exclusively in Spanish oloroso sherry casks, replicating those historical methods. This unique maturation process contributes significantly to the whisky’s rich and distinctive character.
Unfiltered & Award-Winning: The A’bunadh is bottled unfiltered for a more authentic taste, allowing the full range of flavors to shine through. It has also received recognition from prestigious publications, earning the highest recommendation from Wine Enthusiast in 2011.
A’bunadh Alba: A Bold & Spicy Speyside Single Malt
- Nose: Alcohol, apple, pear, vanilla
- Palate: Baking spice, apple, pear, vanilla, oak
- Finish: Long, baking spice, oak, chocolate
- Alcohol content: 114 proof (57% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
The A’bunadh Alba is a cask-strength single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, known for its robust character and intense flavor profile.
Intriguing Introduction: The initial aroma might surprise with a noticeable alcohol presence, but wait! It soon unfolds to reveal inviting fruity notes of apple and pear, accentuated by a touch of vanilla.
Luxuriously Rich: The first sip introduces a viscous texture that luxuriously coats the palate. The taste profile starts with a burst of baking spices, followed by the same delicious fruits detected earlier, alongside vanilla and a subtle hint of oak.
Long-Lasting Warmth: The finish is remarkably long-lasting, leaving behind lingering traces of baking spice, oak, and a touch of chocolate, all accompanied by a satisfying warmth. Adding a few drops of water enhances the fruitiness, creating an even more enjoyable experience.
Straightforward Yet Bold: This whisky caters to those who appreciate a bold and intense dram. While the flavor profile might be more direct than some seek, it makes up for it with its powerful taste.
Spice Up Your Night: Rich in baking spices and free from any harsh or off-putting flavors, the A’bunadh Alba offers a consistently delightful experience throughout, from the initial aroma to the lingering finish.
Heating Up the Comparison: Compared to the classic A’bunadh, the Alba packs a similar punch with its high alcohol content, delivering a noticeable warmth on the palate. Yet, its incredibly creamy texture beautifully balances it out.
American Influence: Unlike its sibling matured in sherry casks, the A’bunadh Alba spends its entire life in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, resulting in a distinct flavor profile. This whisky is also unfiltered for a more authentic taste, and fun fact – Alba refers to the American oak (Quercus Alba) used in its maturation process!
U.S. Exclusive: This bold and spicy Speyside dram is currently only available for purchase within the United States.
How do A’Bunadh and Alba differ?
The regular A’bunadh is aged in Spanish oloroso sherry casks, while Alba is aged exclusively in bourbon barrels.
Both are unfiltered and bottled at cask strength, although they are both artificially colored, which is something to frown upon.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Aberlour A’bunadh | $99 |
| Aberlour A’bunadh Alba | $115 |