a'bunadh batch 20 vs batch 19

"John Abramson .org.uk>" Hi

Ive read that it is very good. My daughter just came back from Scotland where she went on the Aberlour tour and tasted the 20. She raved about it. Im currently working on Batch #7. YMmV Lew

Hi John, Which branch and what other malts did they stock? Drew

John Abramson Hi

"John Abramson .org.uk>" Hi

I think I've only sampled two batches and don't really recall the batch numbers (maybe 18 and 19) ... I just assumed (until evidence to the contrary) that ALL batches are fantastic ... is there any evidence to the contrary ?

cheers

Paul

My memory could be playing tricks on me, but I'm thinking the first one I tasted -- No. 5 or thereabouts -- was a more overwhelming sherry bomb than the one I'm currently working on, a No. 14. But the No. 14 is so good -- still a massive sherry hit, cask strength, and somehow it manages to be balanced at the same time -- that I'm not worried. I've had three or four in all, and they've all been worth it.

It's a general Waitrose offer. See

Thanks for all responses.

Jim Murray reckons there is a lot of variation between batches, and while I don't agree with him about everything, I thought it worth asking here. I guess I'll have to buy a bottle and try the comparison myself :-)

John Abramson Thanks for all responses.

I've had an 18 and 19, and though I thoroughly enjoyed the 18 I think the 19 might be a tad more to my liking. I probably ought to buy a couple of cases before it's all gone.

Gladys.

Hi john, I have been and picked up a bottle and a bottle of Talisker 18.I think that Waitrose has the best selection I have ever seen in a supermarket. What is the best way to drink the Aberlour?,it is the 1st time my wife and I have brought any cast strenght whisky. Drew

John Abramson Hi

They are pretty good - they have a slightly upmarket selection, but like all supermarkets, usually have £5 or so off a selection of malts.

Personally I have it neat. Just take smaller sips than you would of a standard-strength whisky. Some cask strength malts are a bit overpowering perhaps, but a'bunadh is so smooth and rounded that it shouldn't really be a problem. YMMV of course.

The best way to drink it is the way that you like it.

For me that includes some ice - a splash of water in the first glass - no splash in the second, third, fourth, or fifth.

Then off to bed.

Gladys.

Right you are. And I like my foie gras with a thin topping of peanut butter.

Rather than just re-open the old arguments, here's a challenge that we tried a couple of months ago:

Get a few Scotch lovers together and someone to administer this six-whisky challenge.

The first evening, sample all six whiskies with the bottles identified. Then sample all six blind, and identify as many as you can.

The second evening, repeat the test, but with ice and a splash of water in each blind sample.

Compare the results from the two evenings.

Let the group know what your results are.

-- Larry

There is the alternative of course ... if you're happy doing what you're doing, carry on. Everybody wins, no arguments.

cheers :-)

Paul

Sounds good - I'm going to have to try that.

Gladys.

We have a winner. :-)

Gladys.

Well, if we all did that, then we'd all be drinking the rotgut we started on in our teens -- Carling Black Label, Johnny Walker Red, Jack Daniels, screwdrivers, bad Singapore Slings ...

...and shudders! 8;)

-- Larry

Just because you are enjoying something now, doesn't mean you'll enjoy it tomorrow.

In that you have hope that we may someday achieve your level of snobbishness. LOL. :-)

Gladys.

Heh ... philistines are allowed to drink single malt, too, yaknow.

cheers

Paul

It's not snobbishness, I don't think.

I just don't see the sense of buying something for its taste, and then consuming it in a manner that mutes ... its taste.

Of course, this wouldn't apply to those who buy SMWs for the pretty bottles and high price labels with which they can impress their friends, or themselves, and don't care much about the contents. Those are the actual snobs, IMO. 8;)

-- Larry

The snobishness thing was a joke Larry. :-)

It tastes different with some ice. I like it more. It takes some of the edge off. I don't particularly like the edge. I could tell you the difference between something I like and something I don't like with ice in it just as well as I could with no ice, but with no ice I'd like them both less.

It's different than you. But I think we're both OK. :-)

BTW - I've recently had some scotch that I downright hated. Lagavullin

1. Ugh, yuck, gag, etc. It took me 3 days to get the flavor out of my mouth. I hated it just as much neat as I did with ice. Ugh. But I know lots of people love it. That's fine. I know a guy who likes the swilly taste of Highland Park. Oh God, how do you put that stuff in your mouth? But he's a great guy and has good taste in music, so he's OK too.

But the batch 19 Aberlour - - - YUMMMMMMMY!!!!! And yes, I have been known to drink it straight out of the bottle. YUM!