Aberlour A’Bunadh Batch #25
70cl / 60.4%
£389.00
- Cask type: Spanish Oak
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
A classic, full-throttle A’bunadh: matured exclusively in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butts and bottled at natural cask strength for maximum richness. Batch 25 delivers that signature “sherry bomb” profile—plump dried fruits, dark chocolate, orange peel and baking spice—wrapped in a silky, warming texture. A few drops of water open layers of raisin, walnut, cinnamon and cocoa while softening the alcohol without dulling the flavour.
Perfect for slow sipping after dinner or as a showpiece dram for sherry lovers, this is Aberlour at its most indulgent: concentrated, unapologetically rich, and built for cold evenings and special pours.
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A mid-series release of the iconic cask strength bottling, matured exclusively in first-fill Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Aberlour Distillery / Distillery Bottling (DB) / Speyside, Scotland |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Ongoing Batch Release) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | No Age Statement (NAS) / Bottled c. 2008 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 60.4% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Exclusive maturation in 100% First-Fill Spanish Oloroso Sherry Casks |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Standard Aberlour house style) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Standard A'Bunadh policy) |
| Cask Strength | Yes (60.4% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (Ongoing small batch) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retail, Enthusiast Market |
| Packaging | Traditional bulbous bottle shape with wax-sealed cork closure. |
| Notes on discrepancies | The batch number is critical for consistency; Batch #25 (c. 2008) has a precise strength of 60.4% ABV, which varies across other batches. |
Historical Context
Aberlour A'Bunadh, meaning "The Original" in Gaelic, was launched in the late 1990s as a tribute to the distillery's founder, James Fleming. The concept originated when workers discovered a bottle containing older Aberlour whisky dating back to 1898, believed to be the original style. Since then, A'Bunadh has maintained a cult following for its adherence to pre-modern production standards: bottling at cask strength, without chill-filtration, and exclusive use of Spanish Oloroso sherry casks.
Batch #25 falls squarely in the mid-era of A'Bunadh's long run, which now extends past Batch #70. Bottled around 2008, this batch is considered a key reference point for the series' evolving character. The commitment to 100% first-fill Oloroso sherry maturation is paramount, as these active casks impart the deep colour, intense spice, and dark fruit profile that defines the A'Bunadh style, appealing directly to the most dedicated sherry bomb enthusiasts.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The A'Bunadh series is celebrated for its technical transparency regarding its strength and cask regimen. The non-chill filtered status and bottling at natural cask strength (60.4% ABV for Batch #25) ensure the whisky retains the maximum oiliness, texture, and flavour compounds that would otherwise be removed by water dilution or cooling. The single variable across the series is the ABV, which naturally fluctuates slightly from cask to cask across the different batches.
Documented variants
A'Bunadh is primarily a 70cl product. The key variants are the batch numbers, each carrying a unique ABV and subtly different flavour profile.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Cask Type | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 60.4% | 70cl | 100% First-Fill Oloroso Sherry | Batch #25 (c. 2008 bottling) | High (Historical mid-batch number, robust ABV) |
| Varies (e.g., 59.8%–61.5%) | 70cl | 100% First-Fill Oloroso Sherry | Other batches (e.g., Batch #67, #71) | Variable (Dependent on specific batch reputation) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The A'Bunadh bottle is instantly recognisable by its slightly bulbous shape and its definitive wax-sealed cork closure. Authentication requires verifying the precise Batch Number (#25) and the correct corresponding ABV (60.4%) stamped or labelled on the bottle. The heavy use of wax around the closure serves a dual purpose: a traditional aesthetic feature and an additional seal, although it must be noted that even wax seals can degrade over extreme periods. The wax seal should be largely intact, though minor cracking is common.
Regulatory/terminology notes
A'Bunadh is a Cask Strength single malt, meaning it has not been diluted before bottling. It is also Non-Chill-Filtered, meaning the natural oils and esters remain suspended in the spirit, giving the whisky a characteristic oily mouthfeel and texture. Aberlour has launched a new Sherry Cask Collection to showcase different Sherry finishes, but the classic A'Bunadh remains distinct in the core range.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The A'Bunadh profile is a masterclass in aggressive sherry maturation, known for its intense, full-bodied character.
Nose: Terrific aromas of allspice, praline, and spiced orange, harmonizing with deep notes of Oloroso Sherry. There are definite hints of red berries and cherry.
Palate: Superlatively full-bodied and creamy. Layers of dried fruits, dark bitter chocolate, black cherries, and ginger, spiked with enduring oak and lingering sherry sweetness. Batch 25 is specifically noted as being particularly spicy and slightly spirity on entry.
Finish: Robust and long-lasting, resolving with bittersweet notes of exotic spices and dark chocolate. The finish on Batch #25 is sometimes noted as astringent and peppery.
With water: Water causes the flavour to "explode more on the palate", making the dark dried fruits more prominent and intensifying the spice. The spirit is designed to be sampled both neat and with water due to its high strength.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Aberlour Distillery, owned by Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard), is a celebrated Speyside single malt producer founded in 1879. The distillery’s core philosophy, evident in its range, balances Bourbon-cask maturity with extensive Sherry-cask influence. The A'Bunadh series showcases the distillery's ability to produce intense, high-proof whisky that maintains remarkable balance, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the modern "sherry bomb" style.
Sourcing
The exclusive target is the 70cl A'Bunadh bottle clearly marked Batch #25. The wax seal should be visually intact.
Reject any bottle lacking the clear batch number identification. Be cautious of auction listings selling near the current RRP of newer batches (£85–£95), as this may indicate misidentification.
Pristine label and box condition are highly valued. Due to the high ABV, the liquid's integrity is well-protected, but the wax seal must be physically secure.
Velocity is slow due to the inherent rarity of older batches. Margins are high, relying on the significant price differential between low auction results and high specialist retail asking prices.
