The Glenfarclas 105 approaches the quality of the Aberlour a’bunadh, but doesn’t get close to the superior Glendronach CS, which still is number one in The Sherry Project. For the mainstream, global release, Glenfarclas advises that the whiskies used are never younger than 8 years old, and rarely older than 10 years old. The a’Bunadh is more intense and spirity, with lacquer and varnish notes clinging to the oak and the wine. Glenfarclas 21 Year-Old. Point being: we’re consumers in free countries, and we’re empowered to buy other products if we don’t see value for money. I did a head to head comparison a few nights ago between A'Bunadh and Glenfarclas 105. Point being: we’re consumers in free countries, and we’re empowered to buy other products if … Glenfarclas, while admirable in its following long-dated tradition and remaining privately owned, simply is not keeping up in terms of the richness of nose and taste relative to its competitors. While they’re similar enough in quality, there is something about the ‘105’ profile, and how it all comes together, that really wins me. This is about as good as it's … Deals. The exact same forces and influencing factors have played out on the other distilleries that focus on sherry maturation – Macallan being the prime example. 2.Aberlour A’Bunadh: prawie identyczny, minimalnie ciemniejszy. The name “a’Bunadh” is gaelic for “the origin”. In terms of flavour, the 105 is a bit more rounded. When the original incarnation was released that year, Glenfarclas became the first distillery to release a barrel proof single malt whisky. A’bunadh is better. The current Aberlour distillery was built in 1879 after its previous incarnation at a different site (established in 1826) was destroyed by fire. However, this was again subsequently dropped when the inventory of casks needed to meet demand had to be widened. Would I accept a glass of this if someone offered me one? I'm guessing you're referring to my vodka comment in the scoring matrix. Whisky opinions, articles, feature pieces, info and reviews. The Aberlour is much darker, oakier and more drying while the Glenfarclas is brighter, a bit “hotter” and simultaneously sweeter. This is one of the most common and most talked about "sherry monsters" alongside other well known whiskies such as Aberlour A'Bunadh. It feels a bit spicier and more drying on the palate and finish, more Sherry-like. Scotch … Yes, there were other distilleries putting out fantastic sherried drams (e.g. Perhaps it’s the ‘cookie-like’ profile. There’s no way the A’bunadh is worth double, and in fact a Teeling Brabazon volume 1 may even top it for breadth of flavour – but that’s the same price for 700ml as 105 is for 1000ml. There are online rivalries between Laphroaig fans and Ardbeg fans, feuds between Glenfiddich fans and Glenlivet fans, and two leading contenders for the title of "Best Cask Strength Sherry Bomb". The end result is a rich, oily spirit that stands up well to the spice and tannins of sherry casks. I think Batch 58 would have knocked out the Glenfarclas. That’s what they have in common, so let’s look in detail at how and where they differ…. While they’re similar enough in quality, there is something about the ‘105’ profile, and how it all comes together, that really wins me. Simple statistics dictates that quality can’t possibly remain constant. I'm a whisky host, writer, presenter, educator, brand ambassador, and all-round malt tragic! Mccallan, as much as I despise the over-branding, is likely better as well. With Engraving. Not a sherry bomb to everyone's taste as it falls on the drier, spicier side of the tracks rather than the Aberlour… It’s nice and baked, but a mix of savoury and sweet. I tried the 105 (Carl actually gave me a sample in this same bundle): Nose was high-pitched wood and nutty aromas; little fruit. 235.00. Aberlour is another distiller that focuses on sherried malts, along with GlenDronach and Macallan. For the majority of expressions and distilleries, this batch production is an insignificant and invisible process to the consumer, and Glenfarclas 105 is no different. Aberlour A'Bunadh is an incredibly popular, loud and bold cask strength offering from Speyside. If a whisky can sell as well as Aberlour in a wine hub such as France, it probably means that the whisky in question is seen to be complementary to the preferences and palate of the people who purchase and enjoy it on a regular … Glenfiddich 18 Year Old. Comps. With grateful thanks to Ian Logan of Pernod Ricard and Ian McWilliam of J&G Grant. A litre bottle of Glenfarclas 105. Maybe they're just playing it safe. Allow me to present them along with my tasting notes. No surprise, then, that both whiskies rely exclusively on maturing their spirit in ex-sherry casks. This is a hard question, I would have to say the A'bunadh, it has a special place in my hearth. What makes a whisky a “Christmas whisky” ? Glenfarclas 21 Year-Old. In other words, as long as the rising tide is floating all boats, then things are pretty rosy. David Boyd, Campbell Distiller’s Master Blender at the time, was responsible for putting together the recipe and creating the whisky. A true icon of whisky. As such, the label doesn’t give anything away. Having said that, a special batch was recently produced exclusively for Taiwan with an 8 years old age statement. Glenfarclas is one of Scotland's few truly independent distilleries. As a reminder, A’Bunadh is bottled at cask strength from a vatting (mixture) of Aberlour malts from varying ages (10 to 15 years old). There’s no shortage of single-cask expressions available in this category – plenty from the independents, and there’s also the Glenfarclas Family Casks releases, not to mention the single cask offerings from Glendronach. Aberlour is apparently one of the most popular single malts in France, and were one of the first distilleries to popularise cask strength drinking with their much admired A’bunadh. Best Prices Best Products Best Shops Best Reviews Price Alerts Price Trends on idealo.co.uk My only Aberlour experience is with the a'bunadh, which is a tasty beast. Aberlour A’bunadh. If there’s a rivalry amongst the whisky producers, it would best be described as “friendly”. Live. Glenfarclas 105 is consistently available for less than $140 in Australia. Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength 1 Litre Cask strength Glenfarclas, matured in sherry casks. Ian, some classics on your list, for sure. More tellingly, demand was smaller: As the popularity of each brand grows and production has to increase, it follows that a greater number of casks have to be drawn upon for each batch. Aberlour A'Bunadh is a bit complicated. 50cl / 56.5% £105 (£210 per litre) See All. I then walked to a nearby whiskey bar, ordered an Aberlour A’bunadh for comparative purposes. There’s taut citric fruit and little else in the astringently woody finish. Review: Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky 87.5/100 a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf) Posted January 26, 2012. It also feels just a bit more mature than the Aberlour. The 105 is quite a bit hotter on the finish – more than the 0.4% difference in ABV should account for. 142.95. It is quite well priced, though. Aberlour A'Bunadh is like Muhammad Ali; widely known, incredibly popular, loud and bold, often celebrated as the greatest of all time, even if somewhat controversially. Though it’s not very widely trumpeted, batch variation (let’s call it that, even though these aren’t really touted as ‘batch’ releases or anything) in the Glenfarclas 105 is as much a reality as it is the industry’s other true young sherried heavyweight, Aberlour a’bunadh. 170.00. It was acquired by its current owners, Pernod Ricard, in 1974, although today it sits within the subsidiary company of Chivas Brothers. Glenfarclas 17 Year Old . For my palate, I preferred A’bunadh. The whisky, which was created as an homage to Aberlour’s historic 19th-century single malt, is filled into oloroso sherry casks at 63.5% ABV, matured for a range of years, varying by batch, and bottled at cask strength two to three times a year. Add to Cart. Glenfarclas 105 remains locked at 60% ABV; each batch of Aberlour a’Bunadh varies fractionally, but is generally anywhere between 59% and 61%. Choose from 3 options and Find the best price for Glenfarclas 105 Cask Strength 60% Whiskey from 7 offers. For Glenfarclas 105, the story’s a bit more involved. Date; Likes; Newest; Oldest; Most; Fewest Maude replied. In this case I will say the Aberlour is quite noticeably darker than the Glenfarclas. Glenfarclas 12 Year Old 1 Litre. I ... A more assertive, defined and balanced dram than the Aberlour A'Bunadh Batch 49 reviewed previously. 1. A liter bottle of Glenfarclas 105 however, goes for €30 and leaves a huge impression. Order: Newest. Connoisseur; Veteran Member; 691 posts; Location: Markham, ONT Share; Posted April 1, … Oban Distillers Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky . With water there’s the tiniest bit of wood smoke on the nose. In the more expansive … It remains to be seen how this will affect the cult following of a’bunadh, and, crucially, sales. Didn’t think it’d happen, but I can officially say I’m in the Glenfarclas ‘105’ camp in the 105 vs. a’Bunadh sherry-bomb debate. The Glenfarclas Distillery is located on the Recherlich Farm at Ballindalloch in the heart of Speyside. I definitely prefer it to Yellow Spot. There is chatter in many whisky circles today that the present-day releases from both distilleries “aren’t as good” as they were in years gone by. Amongst its many claims to fame, it remains one of the very few, truly independent, family-owned distilleries in Scotland, now in the sixth generation of the Grants. Aberlour a’bunadh batch #46 (85 points) 3. Many decades ago, in the lead up to Christmas, George Grant – the fourth generation Grant at the helm at that time – would bottle a single cask of Glenfarclas at cask-strength and gift it to family, friends, and distillery staff for Christmas each year. Stepping back for a moment, Aberlour has a diverse range of expressions in its portfolio, with some that feature 100% bourbon-cask maturation; one or two that feature 100% sherry-cask maturation; but a majority of expressions that feature a combination of the two. The Distillery was purchased by the Grant Family in 1865 for a total sum of £511.19sd. For what it's worth, I tend to believe the folks at Aberlour. Glenfiddich Age of Discovery 19 Year … Bottled in late 1999 to mark the new millennium, it was 12 years old, with 2,000 bottles produced. Join. It’s simply the nature of the game, and I’m ok with it. This is one of the most common and most talked about "sherry monsters" alongside other well known whiskies such as Aberlour A'Bunadh. You cannot be against these notes of Mars bars, millionaire shortbread, malted coffee (blend), and pipe tobacco. At the time of writing, a’Bunadh was up to Batch 65. If there are rivalries amongst the brands, they’re being driven by consumers and punters, and they have their origins in the chatter on social media and in whisky forums. Glenfarclas 10 year old, at $1.89 per ounce versus $3.54 per ounce ($2.36 per ounce adjusted to 40% ABV), is the clear winner over Glenfarclas 105, which does not have an age statement and offers no obvious quality differences beyond proof. Cheers, AD, It has to be the Glenfarclas 105 every time. Sure, they’re in the same ballpark, but they each offer their own unique highlights and peaks. Would you like to know which one I gave the higher score to? After the bottle’s been open for a few weeks, the heat on the arrival calms down a bit. Let’s get ready to ruuuummmmmbbblllllle!!!! John Grant bought it in 1865 and it's been in the family ever since. Review (2016) Batch: N/A. Glenfarclas is a well-respected independent distillery, which takes great pride in having been run by one family for six generations. Aberlour A'bunadh, Glenfarclas 105 or maybe something else.... 9 years ago. Not your overly-sweet store-bought fluffy cake, but … Aberlour a’bunadh (batch #55) This is one of the latest batches of Aberlour A’Bunadh, one I selected for my Tasting Collection set. No you cannot. Glendronach 15 is better. For those of us who are fans of heavily sherried, cask strength whiskies, why should we keep buying a’bunadh when we can buy Glengoyne Cask Strength, Glendronach Cask Strength, Tamdhu Batch Strength or Glenfarclas 105 for a fraction of the price? 15, and Ballantines ) are where the real volume is as well astounding. Bit of wood smoke on the palate and finish when it ’ s quite balanced to full.!, or is there something objective we can measure … Deals on Twitter @ View. The bottling was eventually re-named to 105, referring to my palate I! Pieces, info and reviews this are logical and straightforward enough barrels that once held oloroso sherry cask Edition! Per year reviews the Aberlour A'Bunadh / Batch 53: battle of the between. 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