Aberlour A'bunadh Alba Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - Batch 05

"I rather hate it that I like it a lot. Nah, it's an excellent (if a little syrupy) little NAS, really." - whiskyfun.com

Described as "The yin to Aberlour A’bunadh’s yang" and originally a US exclusive, 'Alba' is matured entirely in 100% first-fill Bourbon barrels instead of sherry. You might think that's something to pass on given the series has built a reputation for well-curated oloroso casks. However, according to whiskyadvocate.com, "The result is a bracingly pure whisky with deceptive simplicity; far from boring."  'Alba' has a double reference here, not only meaning “Scotland”, but nodding to American oak (aka ‘Quercus alba’). Just like its cousin, 'Alba' is released in small batches made from a range of casks of varying ages, with lots of Tennessee whiskey barrels in the mix, plus Smooth Ambler, TX, Rabbit Hole and Jefferson’s. Bottled at a whopping 62.7%, expect exotic fruits, vanilla and creamy aromas and flavours that are "as close as you'll get to tasting original cask strength Aberlour at the distillery". Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... [Batch #1 tasted] I may need to invent the term “bourbon bomb” to adequately encompass what this has going on. It’s as full flavored and as forcefully personable as the regular A’bunadh, but it goes in a completely different direction. Where that has the expected dried fruits, this is bursting with a ripe fruit cocktail full of the types of delicacies you’d find on an Asian breakfast buffet. There’s an element of the nose’s fruity/creamy dichotomy throughout this, though in less overwhelming form in the mouth. It tastes a bit like dessert, which might be a good indication of which point in your evening will best suit this one. - malt-review.com

...Sweet and clean, with aromas of honeysuckle, confectioners’ sugar, lemon, fresh jasmine, nougat, and coconut cream. The palate is remarkably consistent, with lemon curd, toasted coconut sprinkled over oatmeal, vanilla cookie, pear, and juicy citrus. A lengthy finish of grapefruit, lemon, and apple continues the theme. The clean, spirit-driven profile might give the impression of simplicity, but the high ABV ensures there is much to unpack. [Batch #1 tasted] 93 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton 2019

...Nothing to do with the famous Swedish pop band Abba (S., come on), the name Alba refers to quercus alba, a.k.a. American oak, so this is probably ex-bourbon wood, but let's remember that the very vast majority of sherry casks, at least the genuine ones that they're using in soleras, are made out of American oak and have been for ages. Colour: straw. Nose: I remember that when we first visited the Distillery with the Malt Maniacs, around the year 2002, bourbon casks were extremely rare and any opportunity to try any wouldn't have been missed. And wasn't missed. This is hyper-clean, oily, all on white and yellow fruits. Preserved peaches and custard are ruling the whole shebang. With water: no changes. Pleasantly elementary and even binary. Mouth (neat): a creamy, almost syrupy mirabelle and white pepper combination. The oak feels a little too much for me at this point (oversteeped tea and coconut) but water may help… With water: very simple, very excellent. Mirabelles, touch of mint, touch of quince, vanilla, tarte tatin. Finish: I'm afraid we'll need to mention limoncello once more. Comments: possibly a little too obvious, and I rather hate it that I like it a lot. Nah, it's an excellent (if a little syrupy) little NAS, really. 86 points - whiskyfun.com