I’ve only had and reviewed one other Allt-a-Bhainne. I noted in that review that I knew nothing about Allt-a-Bhainne, not even how the name is pronounced. My knowledge has since increased just a little bit. I know now that it was only founded in 1975 and that the correct pronunciation of the name is closer to “autobahn” than you might expect. I do know, however, that I quite liked the other one. That was a 21 yo bottled by Cadenhead’s. This one is a 16 yo bottled by Berry Bros. & Rudd. Both are from bourbon casks selected by two highly reliable bottlers: that bodes well for this one as well. Let’s see if reality cooperates.
Allt-a-Bhainne 16, 1995 (53.4%; Berry Bros. & Rudd; cask #125284; from a sample received in a swap)
Nose: Lots of lemon with some musky, malty notes running through it and then notes of sweeter fruit (peach, berries). Quite vibrant. Soon it’s a lemon-driven fruit punch. Some dusty oak too with more time. Maltier and muskier with a few drops of water.
Palate: As promised by the nose but sweeter (apples) and maltier. Very nice mouthfeel. The lemon expands with every sip and there’s a grassiness too that works well here; and there’s a bit of cocoa powder mixed in with the malt. Okay, let’s see what water does. It makes it a little more gingery maybe, certainly much sharper.
Finish: Long. No new development: the apples and lemon and oak slowly dissipate and the last impression is of the malt. A little more muddled with water.
Comments: This is a very pleasant, fruity, malty whisky. Not much complexity and nothing very exciting about the fruit but it’s a solid whisky and I’d be very happy to have a full bottle on the shelf. Unfortunately, I don’t. I preferred it without water.
Rating: 85 points.
Thanks to Florin for the sample!
My Annoying Opinions 
We’re quite at odds on this one:
“I simply did not get this whisky for most of its life. In the last two weeks I started to really enjoy it – somewhat tart and vaguely smoky. Initially it tasted too industrial, dry, spirity. However, that was during the hot days of summer! The weather seemed to count. About 75pts”
LikeLike
I see Michael also reviewed a sample from your bottle and liked it about as much as I did.
LikeLike
I think this was the only Allt-a-Bhainne I’ve ever enjoyed. Thanks, Florin!
LikeLike
Thanks to the miracle of air conditioning I can now drink whisky year round. Summers of ’14 and ’15 were not a good time for high-strength whisky in my household. As much as it pains me to say it, you & Michael may have been right on this one.
LikeLike
I remember those summers! A bit blurry though. I think I also complained about how high ABV whisky was just not drinking well then.
LikeLike
Hard to believe that someone who drank at Casa Florin would have blurry memories!
Actually, I disappointed him greatly by not drinking very much when I visited.
LikeLike
I didn’t take it personally, MAO. I figured it must be a religious thing. But yes, usually where I live whisky nights don’t end before midnight. Anyway, good times, all y’all!
LikeLike
Probably not the ideal place to chime in, but I recently tried a pour of 100 Pipers 3yr old blended scotch. $11/litre. Google tells me the malt content is mostly Allt-a-Bhainne (although the blend is mostly grain). Anyway, it’s a very clean, inoffensive blended scotch with no off notes. Probably very good with ice, in a long drink or cocktail. Just FYI in case anyone wants a scotch half as cheap and better than Grant’s or Ballantine’s.
LikeLike