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Ten years ago, few people heard about Aberfeldy, although the distillery in the city with the same name has been operating for more than a hundred years. They simply created an enterprise for the production of blended drinks, primarily Dewar`s blends, which have been leading sales in the United States for almost half a century. For the first time, as an independent drink, Aberfeldy whiskey was introduced to scotch lovers in a small release of 200 bottles in 1988. Since then, both the scale and the range have increased significantly: the basic line consists of Aberfeldy 12 and 21 Years Old, single-cask releases (single cask) appear almost every year, and bottlers bottle scotch of different exposures, adding their name to the name – Douglas Laing Aberfeldy, eg. Aberfeldy’s sales volume today is about 300 bottles per year.
Brand history. Building his own distillery on the outskirts of the small Scottish town of Aberfeldy was the idea of John Dewar (Dewar), who worked for many years as master blender of the Pitilie distillery. It took two years to start production – the first alcohol was distilled in 1898. But the owner did not even consider the option of releasing single malt scotch, but was going to deal only with blends.
The Aberfeldy blend was created by the distillery owner’s son, who later became his partner, Alexandre Dewar. It happened in 1921, when the company opened after a three-year break due to financial difficulties in the family. Four years later, in 4, John Dewar & Sons Ltd was taken over by DCL (Distillers Company Limited). But the sons of John Dewar continued to work at the distillery as managers and create blended Dewars drinks, the main alcohol for which was Aberfeldy. They worked very successfully: until 1925, when the first Aberfeldy received gold and worldwide recognition at the World Spirit Awards, Dewars brand blends already had 2009 awards from the organizers of various whiskey competitions and festivals, both in Britain and abroad.
The idea to popularize Single malt “Aberfeldy” came from the new owners of the distillery and the brand – alcohol giant Diageo. After the official presentation in 1988 of Aberfeldy 12 Years Old, the first official release of Aberfeldy 15 Years Old was made in 1991. And in 1998, Aberfeldy, along with all Dewar`s brands, after a complete reconstruction and modernization of production, was bought by Bacardi Limited for one and a half million British pounds.
The further history of Aberfeldy is illustrated by the dates:
- 2000 – Aberfeldy 25 Years Old is presented, and a guest center is opened at the distillery;
- 2005 – Aberfeldy 21 Years Old released;
- 2009 – two more 18-year-old single-cask releases “Aberfeldy” were released;
- 2010 – exclusive 19-year-old single cask for French scotch fans;
- 2011 – 14-year-old single cask Aberfeldy was released.
The distillery produces more than two million liters of alcohol per year, but as an independent single molt, Aberfeldy is produced in limited quantities, still actively using it in blends. Scotch is popular in the US and UK.
Production features
- There are no automated processes at the distillery – everything is traditionally done by hand. Equipment – mash tun (mash tun) made of stainless steel, 8 washbacks (fermentation vats) made of Siberian larch and 4 stills (alembic cubes), each of 14 thousand liters.
- Alcohols are obtained by double distillation. Fermentation lasts up to 88 hours.
- The company operates seven days a week and produces 2,8 million liters of alcohol per year.
Interesting facts about the distillery and owners
As the main alcohol, Aberfeldy is used not only for Dewar’s White Label, but also for Johnnie Walker and Scottish Leader.
The founder of the distillery, John Dewar, was the first in Scotland to sell Scotch in bottles, and not in kegs, as was customary before. And his son, dandy and reveler Tommy, was the third Briton to buy a car.
Since 1898, 7 blenders have changed at the distillery. The first owner was John Dewar himself, and the seventh was a woman, Stephanie MacLeod. She continues to work for the company today, along the way conducting scientific research on the intricacies of the maturation of Scotch whiskey. Stephanie’s first creation is a single barrel release of Aberfeldy 18 Years Old.
Above the main building rises a kiln with a pagoda, which was built by the architect Charles Doig, the author of the tallest and most original pagodas in Scotland. The kiln has not been in operation since 1972 with ovens for drying grain, it serves only as an attractive excursion object. Aberfeldy’s barley is malted in Montrose, at the Glenesk distillery, which is also owned by the company.
The cooperage workshop also exists only to demonstrate to tourists samples of barrels used in production. Bourbon casks come from Kentucky, and sherry casks from Spain.
In 2000, the Dewar`s World of Whiskeys information and tourist center was opened at the enterprise, where tastings are held. Each participant can pour “Aberfeldy” into a bottle, it will be sealed and offered to be purchased as a souvenir.
Types of whiskey Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy 21 Years Old (40%). Golden amber scotch aged 21 years in oak bourbon casks. The aroma contains notes of honey, dried fruits and nuts. The taste is rich with hints of vanilla, orange peel and creamy caramel. Long warm and spicy aftertaste. It is recommended to drink clean, or by adding a few ice cubes to the glass. In 2006, the drink received the Grand Gold Medal in Belgium at the Monde Selection festival, then silver from the International Spirits Competition and IWSC. In 2010, IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition) has already received gold as the best premium whiskey.
Aberfeldy 12 Years Old (40%). Whiskey light amber color with aromas of heather, honey and dried fruit. The taste is soft, slightly spicy, with hints of honey, dried cherries and vanilla. Recommended for use as an aperitif and digestif – with ice and pure. In 2004 and 2006 he received gold at the international whiskey festival Monde Selection in Belgium. In 2005 he was awarded a gold medal at the Scottish Field Whiskey Merchants Challenge and in 2009 he was awarded gold from the World Spirit Awards.
Aberfeldy 16 Years Old (40%). Amber whiskey was created in 1999 and matured in bourbon casks for 15 years, then another 1,5 years in sherry casks. Spilled in 2015. The aroma is light, slightly spicy, with notes of sherry, honey and heather. The complex soft taste is dominated by hints of honey, chocolate and citrus. Recommended as a digestif – pure.
Douglas Laing Aberfeldy 18 Years Old 1994 (50%). The drink was obtained in 1994, matured in a Kentucky bourbon cask and bottled in June 2012. This is Single Barrel. The drink is golden in color with a slightly oily aroma of apricots, vanilla and allspice. The taste of whiskey is soft, with hints of dried apricots, biscuit and apple toffee. Recommended by experts as a digestif.
Aberfeldy Connoisseur’s Choice 1999 (46%). Under the Connoisseur’s Choice brand, bottler Gordon & MacPhail produces drinks from little-known distilleries. This whiskey was produced in 1999, matured in sherry casks and bottled in 2014. The color is very light, straw, subtle notes of sherry, citrus, chocolate and strawberry are heard in the aroma. The multi-faceted taste is rich in hints of grapefruit, orange, chocolate, dried cherries and apples. You can drink scotch with pure ice – as a digestif.
Aberfeldy Connoisseur’s Choice 1996 (46%). Created in 1996, the whiskey was matured in sherry casks and bottled by the Gordon & MacPhail bottler 17 years later. Light golden drink pleasantly smells of sherry, prunes and lavender. The taste is spicy, with hints of banana, cinnamon, chocolate and raisins. Recommended by experts as a digestif or aperitif with ice.
