Aberlour A'Bunadh - Batch 81

Tonight’s dram takes me (virtually) back to one of my all-time favorite distilleries in the universe for the 81st batch of Aberlour A’bunadh. It opens with black cherries, dark creamy caramel, super-dark chocolate, and fresh nectarines; followed by cinnamon stick, nutmeg, spicy ginger, freshly-cracked black pepper, toasted pecans, charred oak, and candied orange peel; finishing with tons of malt, vanilla, sweet sherry, and chocolate nougat (think 3 Musketeers with dark chocolate). ABV of 61.6% can be overwhelming alcohol, but the flavors are so bold and intense that the ABV just amplifies the flavors.

Drink slow, drink long, drink a variety, drink often.