Abrachan Triple Barrel Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Review - Lidl

Imagine opening a bottle that cost you about twenty pounds in the United Kingdom. You pour a dram and the whisky in the glass is so dark that it almost looks like mahogany. This is Abrachan Triple Barrel, a blended malt Scotch whisky that you can pick up in Lidl during your weekly shop.

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It sounds like a simple supermarket bottle, but there is more story in the glass than the price suggests. Tawny port cask. Sherry cask. Bourbon cask. Oak matured. A higher than usual strength at forty two percent ABV. And a flavour profile that feels richer than a standard budget forty percent whisky.

In this review we will look at what Abrachan Triple Barrel is, who bottles it, how the triple cask idea works and what you can expect from the nose, the palate and the finish. Then we will talk about value and give a final score.

What is Abrachan Triple Barrel

Abrachan Triple Barrel is a blended malt Scotch whisky. That means it is made only from single malt whiskies from different distilleries, combined together. There is no grain whisky in the recipe, but the exact distilleries are not revealed.

The bottle you have here was bought in Lidl in the United Kingdom for about twenty pounds. On the front label you see Tawny Port Cask, Sherry Cask and Bourbon Cask. On the back label it promises soft caramel, dried stone fruits and wild berries. It also states that the whisky was matured in American bourbon barrels, Spanish Oloroso sherry butts and Portuguese tawny port pipes.

Abrachan is bottled by Clydesdale Scotch Whisky Company. The name Hay and Macleod Limited also appears on the packaging. This is typical for supermarket whiskies, where a brand owner or broker works with a large bottler to create a product for a specific retailer. The mystery around which distilleries are in the blend actually adds a little intrigue for whisky fans.

Strength, style and awards

Older versions of Abrachan were bottled at forty percent. The version in this review is bottled at forty two percent ABV, which already gives a little more presence and flavour.

The whisky has also collected some recognition in competitions. It has been awarded Silver in The Scotch Whisky Masters by The Spirits Business and Silver at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, with scores reported in the eighty to eighty five range. For a budget blended malt on a supermarket shelf that is not a bad achievement.

There is no age statement on the bottle. It fits into the modern category of accessible, non age statement blended malts that focus on cask style and flavour rather than a number on the label.

Triple cask maturation explained

The main selling point of Abrachan Triple Barrel is the cask story. The label highlights three types of cask used to mature the whiskies that make up the blend.

American bourbon barrelsThese bring classic notes of vanilla, caramel and soft oak. Bourbon casks are used widely across Scotch whisky and they form the backbone of many flavour profiles.

Spanish Oloroso sherry buttsThese large casks add deeper dried fruit notes such as raisins, figs and dates, as well as nutty and slightly spicy tones. Sherry casks also tend to darken the colour of the whisky.

Portuguese tawny port pipesTawny port pipes contribute red fruit, berry notes and a richer colour. They can add flavours of dark cherries, forest fruits and gentle sweetness.

When you put these three cask influences together, you expect a whisky that leans towards dark fruit and caramel, with berry notes from the port and extra richness in both colour and flavour. For a bottle at around twenty pounds, triple cask maturation is a bold promise and a very strong hook on the shelf.

Appearance

When you pour Abrachan Triple Barrel into the glass the first thing you notice is the colour. It is deep and dark, closer to strong tea or polished mahogany than to pale gold.

Some of that will come from the sherry and port influence. There may also be some spirit caramel added for consistency. Either way, the dram looks rich and inviting and it matches the story on the label.

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Aroma, nose

On the nose Abrachan Triple Barrel opens with dark fruit. You can pick up raisins, dried apple and a touch of pear. It feels like a mix of dried fruit rather than fresh fruit.

Behind that you get a wave of sweetness. Caramel and toffee come through clearly, along with vanilla from the bourbon casks. There is also a light earthy note in the background, but no obvious peat smoke. If someone had told you there was a touch of smoke you might go looking for it, but in this review sample it stays more on the earthy side than smoky.

Given a little time in the glass the whisky starts to evoke dried fruit compote, the kind of dessert made with mixed dried fruit simmered in syrup. It is a surprisingly pleasing aroma for a budget bottle and sets up the palate nicely.

Palate, taste

On the palate Abrachan arrives richer than its price suggests.

The first impression is of dark fruits. Dark cherries, wild berries and dried stone fruits appear, echoing the nose. The port and sherry cask influence is clear here.

Then the sweeter notes arrive, with caramel and toffee leading the way. There is also an interesting coffee note that builds towards the end of the sip, along with some dark chocolate.

Spice is present too. You can find alcohol warmth, clove, dried ginger and a little oak spice. The oak itself is noticeable and drying but does not completely take over. For a twenty pound blended malt the mid palate has more going on than expected.

Finish

The finish sits in the middle. It is not very short, but it is not a long slow fade either.

It leans again towards the fruity and sweet side at first, with echoes of berries and dried fruit. Then the nuttier, oakier side appears, bringing a gentle drying sensation. There is a touch of chocolate and some gentle spice that lingers on the tongue.

A slight bitterness creeps in right at the end, which will bother some drinkers more than others. Given the price and the strong flavour profile, it feels acceptable and does not ruin the overall experience. The finish gives you enough character to feel that you have had your money’s worth.

Overall verdict and rating

Abrachan Triple Barrel is not a world class, complex Scotch that you will sit with for hours taking notes. It does not pretend to be premium and it does not need to.

What it offers is very simple. It gives solid flavour for the price. It has proper layers from the triple cask maturation. It looks good in the glass and even comes in an attractive tube with deep colours and gold details. It tells a story that is fun to share, especially when you reveal that it came from a supermarket shelf.

In this review the score sits around seventy one points out of one hundred. That might sound modest, but for a twenty pound blended malt that is a respectable result. It makes a great weekday dram, a handy sharing bottle for friends and a very good example of a hidden supermarket gem.

If you enjoy exploring value whiskies or want something a little richer than the very basic blends, Abrachan Triple Barrel is worth trying at least once.

Abrachan Triple Barrel quick facts

Name: Abrachan Triple Barrel Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Type: Blended malt Scotch whisky

Cask types: American bourbon barrels Spanish Oloroso sherry butts Portuguese tawny port pipes

Strength: Forty two percent ABV in the bottle reviewed here

Price: Around twenty pounds in the United Kingdom at Lidl

Style: Rich, dark, fruity, with caramel, toffee, coffee notes and gentle spice

Rating: Around seventy one points out of one hundred in this review. 71/100

Frequently asked questions about Abrachan Triple Barrel

Is Abrachan Triple Barrel a single malt?

No. Abrachan Triple Barrel is a blended malt Scotch whisky. That means it is a blend of different single malt whiskies from more than one distillery. There is no grain whisky in the blend, but it is not a single malt from one distillery.

Who makes Abrachan Triple Barrel?

The whisky is bottled by Clydesdale Scotch Whisky Company and the name Hay and Macleod Limited appears on the label. The brand has been sold through Lidl in several markets. The individual distilleries that supply the malt are not disclosed.

What casks are used for Abrachan Triple Barrel?

Abrachan Triple Barrel uses three types of cask. American bourbon barrels, Spanish Oloroso sherry butts and Portuguese tawny port pipes. The bourbon casks bring vanilla and caramel, the sherry casks add dried fruit and nutty notes, and the port pipes bring berry notes and richer colour.

Is Abrachan worth buying?

If you are looking for an affordable whisky with a rich, dark and fruity profile, Abrachan Triple Barrel offers good value for the price. It will not compete with high end single malts, but as a twenty pound supermarket blended malt it gives more flavour than many bottles in the same bracket.

Is Abrachan good for beginners?

Yes. The sweetness and fruitiness make it approachable. There is some spice and a little bitterness in the finish, but nothing too aggressive. It can work as an introduction to sherry and port influenced whisky without spending a lot.

How should I drink Abrachan Triple Barrel?

Abrachan Triple Barrel works well neat if you enjoy sweeter and darker flavours. A small splash of water can open up the dried fruit and caramel notes. It is also a good option for simple whisky and soda or whisky and ginger ale long drinks, where the rich fruit and caramel can still show through.