Aberlour A'bunadh Alba (Batch 2)

I have loved my experience with a couple of the A’bunadh batches I’ve gotten to try. So when I saw the Alba (bourbon cask equivalent to the standard sherried version,) my interest was immediately piqued. This is from Batch No. 002. 58.7% ABV. Let’s check it out. Nose: Apple, pear, apricot, and orange. Floral notes. Toffee, vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch. Graham cracker. Toasted almond. Plum skin. Cocoa. Timber and oak. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ethanol all hit with massive power. Palate: Apple, pear, apricot, and plum. Green grape. Raisin, date, and fig. Caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, and toffee. Milk chocolate. Almond, cashew, and chestnut. Cola. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Oak. Finish: Cola, caramel, and butterscotch. Apple, pear, apricot, and green grape. Vanilla, toffee, and milk chocolate. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak by the pound. Long as they make them. Experiment successful. I wasn’t sure what would become of the Aberlour profile without the sherry cask influence. Turns out that it’s marvelous. The nose and palate are solid. The finish is stunning. At $77, this is a hell of a deal. This is as good as the regular A’bunadh and their 18-year old, but it’s the cheapest of the lot. Awesome stuff, Aberlour. 4.75/5.