🥃 Opening Dram
September has a way of gathering us back in.
The long ease of summer begins to give way to schedules, routines, cooler evenings, relief from the unending heat, and a little more structure. It is a good month for returning to the glass with fresh attention.
Whisky rewards that kind of return. A dram tasted in spring may speak differently in autumn. A bottle once thought too bold may now seem generous. A whisky once overlooked may suddenly make sense.
That is part of the pleasure. Our tastes do not stand still. They mature with us.
🏴 Featured Whisky
Whisky of the Month: Aberlour A'bunadh
Speyside · Single Malt · Cask Strength · ABV varies by batch.
Aberlour A'bunadh is not a quiet whisky. Bottled at cask strength and matured in sherry-seasoned oak, it offers a powerful reminder that Speyside is not only about delicacy and orchard fruit. It can also be deep, dark, muscular, and richly layered.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Raisins, dark chocolate, orange peel, baking spice
- Palate: Dried fruit, treacle, oak spice, roasted nuts
- Finish: Long, warming, rich, and sherried
A'bunadh shows what happens when cask strength and sherry influence meet. It is bold by design, but the lesson is not simply intensity. Add a few drops of water and notice how the whisky opens. Strength is only part of the story; balance is still the goal.
🌎 Beyond Scotland
Australian Whisky Sidebar
Australian whisky has earned increasing attention in recent years, particularly from distilleries working with bold cask choices and warmer maturation conditions. These whiskies can show impressive richness at a younger age, often with dark fruit, malt sweetness, and spice coming forward quickly.
Side by side with Aberlour A'bunadh, an Australian single malt can help illustrate how climate, oak, and strength shape flavor.
📝 Society Notes
- It was terrific seeing everyone at the winery tour and tasting on August 29th. We got to renew friendships and welcomed new members. As we move into autumn, members are encouraged to revisit a bottle they have not poured in a while. Your palate may surprise you.
- It's worth noting that our next meeting on September 20th will be our annual corporate meeting and will feature three whiskies for pairing with a taste of Scottish food, served charcuterie-style. Guests remain welcome at Society gatherings. Curiosity is always enough reason to attend.
- If you have discovered a dram worth recommending, send a short note to briefing@omahawhisky.org.
Society grows best through shared stewardship.
✒ Closing Thought
A strong whisky does not need to be conquered.
It needs to be understood.
Until next month, Slàinte.
Dr. Alan Jackson
Interim President
Omaha Scotch Whisky Society
briefing@omahawhisky.org
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