There are few names in Speyside that carry the weight of A'Bunadh. Aberlour's cask-strength sherry series has, for over two decades, been a benchmark for what uncompromising sherry maturation can achieve at full proof. The A'Bunadh Sherry Cask Collection Edition I marks a new chapter — a reimagined line that signals Aberlour's intent to push this legacy forward while staying rooted in what made the original so compelling.
At 56.2% ABV and carrying no age statement, this is a whisky that asks you to trust the blender's craft over a number on the label. NAS releases divide opinion, and I understand the scepticism. But A'Bunadh has always been NAS, and it has always delivered. The formula here is familiar: first-fill oloroso sherry casks, natural colour, non-chill filtered. Aberlour have never cut corners with this range, and the Edition I continues that discipline. The cask-strength bottling means you're getting the spirit as close to how it sits in the barrel as possible — no dilution smoothing over rough edges or muting character.
What sets the Sherry Cask Collection apart from the numbered batches that preceded it is positioning. This is Aberlour drawing a line under the old format and establishing something with its own identity. Whether that translates to a meaningful shift in liquid style remains to be seen across future editions, but the fundamentals are sound. Speyside distilleries have access to some of the finest sherry wood in the industry, and Aberlour has long been among the most committed to that relationship.
At £94.95, this sits in competitive territory. You're paying a premium over standard single malts, but for a cask-strength, sherry-driven Speyside with Aberlour's pedigree, it represents fair value. There are cheaper options if you simply want sherried whisky, but few carry this combination of provenance and intensity.
Tasting Notes
I'll hold off on detailed tasting notes for now — a full breakdown of nose, palate, and finish will follow once I've had time to sit with this one properly across several sessions. A whisky at this strength deserves that patience. What I will say is that the sherry influence is unmistakable from the moment you pour, and the weight of the spirit at 56.2% gives it a presence that demands attention.
The Verdict
The A'Bunadh Sherry Cask Collection Edition I is a confident opening statement. It carries the DNA of a series that has earned its reputation through consistency and quality, now repackaged with renewed ambition. At 56.2%, it's not a whisky for the faint-hearted, but it rewards those willing to engage with it on its own terms. I'm giving this a 7.6 out of 10 — a strong score that reflects genuine quality and a well-executed concept, with room for future editions to push even higher as the collection finds its stride. This is a whisky worth having on your shelf.
Best Served
Pour it neat first and give it five minutes in the glass. Then add water — a few drops at a time, no more. At 56.2%, this whisky opens up considerably with a splash of still water, and finding your preferred dilution is half the pleasure. A heavy-based tumbler works well here; save the Glencairn for your tasting notes session. This is an evening dram — unhurried, undistracted.
