Aberlour Casg Annamh (Batch 1)

My one dram a week...really makes you look forward to it. For tonight, the remainder 1 ounce from a 2 ounce sample that was sent by my buddy @LeeEvolved. I had given this 4 stars the first go-around, and this time sticking to the same four stars. I actually didn’t like the Aberlour Abundadh, thought it was a bit heavy on the sherry, and tasted like cherry NyQuil. This version is milder. Roasted nuts and dried fruits on the nose. Dates and figs on the palette. Leaves a lingering finish of dried nuts, with a tinge of heat. This is nothing earth shattering, and it doesn’t have to be. It’s just plain, solid and well made daily type of dram.

More of a volume sipper for me... call it a 3.5 star. Not very complex but it’s nice enough, with nothing overpowering. Will probably offer this one to guests as a genuine starter-level sherried Scotch.

Now that I’m back to just an ounce on a Friday and one on Sundays, I so look forward to settling in end of a hard work week, or in advance of a hard work week, full of meetings and business operations models. The hardest part actually of getting back to an ounce every Friday is now choosing which of my backlog of 50+ samples, a few open bottles, and an obscene number of unopened bottles should I go for. First world problems. This week has been especially taxing...the non-stop reality show we have going on day after day (this week is Kavanaugh and that mad circus). I count my blessings every day I’m not employed in our new reality circus. Then again, if I were...I’d probably drink a bottle a night instead of an ounce or two a week. Anyway, I digress. This sample was provided by my friend @LeeEvolved. I can’t tell if this was meant to be the Abunadh replacement, or a new line. But either way, I liked this much better. The Abunadh was cherry NyQuil reinincarnated as a scotch. I can’t stand cherry NyQuil. This is much better...you get the classic sherry influence of sweet dried fruits and sultanas, with enough of a kick without being hot, with a finish that similar to Brazil nuts. Would I buy a bottle? Yeah...if I t were priced <$60. Thanks Lee!

just..superb