The A'bunadh range has long been one of Speyside's more compelling propositions for those of us who believe sherried single malt, bottled at cask strength, represents something close to whisky in its most honest form. Batch 31 arrives at a formidable 60.5% ABV — no age statement, no chill filtration, no apologies. It is, in the truest sense, whisky that asks you to meet it on its own terms.
For the uninitiated, A'bunadh — Gaelic for 'the original' — is a batched release, meaning each numbered expression carries its own character depending on the casks selected. The series is matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts, a commitment that gives the range its identity: dark fruit, Christmas spice, that unmistakable richness that only proper sherry wood can deliver. At 60.5%, Batch 31 sits at the higher end of the series' typical strength range, which tells you the casks chosen here were not shy.
What makes the A'bunadh series worth returning to, batch after batch, is its consistency of intent. This is not a whisky trying to be subtle. It is unapologetically full-bodied, built for drinkers who want weight and texture in the glass. The NAS designation means the distillery has prioritised flavour profile over age — a philosophy I have no quarrel with when the results justify it, and in my experience with this series, they generally do.
At £350, we are firmly in premium territory, and I will be straightforward: this is above the price point where many earlier batches traded. Whether the market bears it depends on your appetite for collecting within the series. As a drinking whisky — which is ultimately what matters — Batch 31 delivers the kind of sherried intensity that Speyside does better than almost anyone.
Tasting Notes
Tasting notes for this batch are not available at time of publication. Based on the series' established profile and the cask strength bottling, expect a full-bodied, sherry-forward dram with considerable depth. The high ABV will reward patience — this is a whisky that opens up significantly with time in the glass and a few drops of water.
The Verdict
I am giving Batch 31 a 7.7 out of 10. The A'bunadh series remains one of the most reliable cask strength sherried malts on the market, and this batch continues that tradition with conviction. The strength is impressive without being punishing, and the sherry cask maturation gives it a richness that many NAS releases at this price point simply cannot match. My slight reservation is the price — earlier batches offered similar quality at a fraction of the cost, and value matters even at this level. But taken purely on what is in the bottle, this is a serious, well-constructed whisky that rewards the drinker who gives it proper attention. It is the kind of dram that reminds you why Speyside earned its reputation.
Best Served
Pour it neat and let it sit for five minutes. Then add water — not a splash, but deliberate drops, one at a time. At 60.5%, this whisky genuinely needs it, and it will thank you for the dilution. A half-dozen drops will bring the ABV down to a more approachable range where the sherry influence can express itself fully without the alcohol overwhelming the palate. No ice. A proper Glencairn glass, a quiet evening, and the patience to let the dram evolve. This is not a whisky for rushing.
