Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba
The lighter twin of A'Bunadh: also bottled at cask strength, but matured in ex-American oak rather than sherry casks. Vanilla and coconut, with red apple, honey and cinnamon, at 59%.
A'Bunadh without sherry
It shares its name with the well-known A'Bunadh, as well as its approach: bottled at cask strength and non-chill-filtered, as a tribute to Aberlour’s origins and its founder, James Fleming. A'Bunadh is Gaelic for “back to the origins.” The difference lies in the cask. While the regular A'Bunadh is matured exclusively in oloroso sherry casks, the Alba is matured in previously used American oak casks.
That gives it a lighter color and a very different flavor. Instead of raisins and dark sherry, you get vanilla and coconut from the American oak, with ripe red apple, honey and a hint of cinnamon, alongside a sweet, creamy texture. At 59%, it’s almost as strong as its sibling, so adding water also helps open up the flavors.
At a glance
Vanilla, coconut and red apple
Vanilla & coconut
Fresh and sweet: vanilla and coconut from the American oak, with ripe red apple and honey. Water makes the fruit juicier.
Sweet and creamy
A creamy texture with honey, vanilla and apple. The 59% ABV is noticeable, but the sweetness balances it out.
Cinnamon
A long, warm finish with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla.
Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba's flavor profile with a splash of water. Compared to A'Bunadh, it's lighter, fresher, and less spicy.
How to taste Alba
Treat it like any cask-strength whisky: start small, add water, and above all, compare.
Neat, then with water
2 cl in a tulip-shaped glass. Take a small sip neat, then add a teaspoon of cool water. The apple and honey become more pronounced, and the alcohol softer.
Glass: tasting glass →Alongside A'Bunadh
Pour a small glass of each with the same amount of water. Same distillery, almost the same strength, different cask: the best lesson in what sherry and American oak do to whisky.
About A'Bunadh →Over one ice cube
3 cl over one large ice cube in a tumbler. The chill and meltwater make it fresher; the vanilla and apple hold up well.
Tumblers →Cocktails for an American oak cask malt
Thanks to the American oak, Alba has the vanilla and honey you also find in bourbon. So recipes that call for bourbon work well; just use a little less because of its strength.
Whisky Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar, and egg white. The apple and vanilla make it juicy.
Mint Julep
Whisky, sugar, and mint over crushed ice. The ice naturally dilutes its cask strength.
Paper Plane
Whisky, amaro, Aperol, and lemon in equal parts. Fresh and lightly bitter.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar, and bitters. The honey and cinnamon come through beautifully.The right glass for Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba
A tulip-shaped glass for drinking neat or with water, a heavy tumbler for serving on the rocks, and a coupe for the Paper Plane.
More Aberlour flavors
Aberlour
Where it began. Read all about Aberlour on the brand page: its origins, varieties, and classic cocktails.
To Aberlour →
Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered
Twelve years, 48% and non-chill-filtered: fuller and oilier, with notes of fruit, sherry and chocolate.
View Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered →
Aberlour 14 Years
Fruit, butterscotch and oak with a hint of blackcurrant. Rounded, creamy and easy to drink neat.
View Aberlour 14 Years →
Aberlour 18 Years
Apricot, blackcurrant jam and sweet oak, with a long finish of wood and honey. For special occasions.
View Aberlour 18 Years →
Aberlour A'Bunadh
Exclusively oloroso sherry casks, bottled at cask strength and without chill filtration. Bold and aromatic, made for a splash of water.
View Aberlour A'Bunadh →Everything about whisky: the types, best-known brands and cocktails.
Questions about Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba
Can't find your question? Read more on the Aberlour page or browse our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Aberlour →What is the alcohol percentage of Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba?
What's the difference between A'Bunadh and A'Bunadh Alba?
What's the best way to drink Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba?
Should you add water to Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba?
Is A'Bunadh Alba sweeter than regular A'Bunadh?
Buy Aberlour
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Aberlour online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 7 in stock.
Aberlour 12 Years Double Cask Matured
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