Aberfeldy, 12-Year-Old, Highland, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (40%)
About this SPIRIT
Aberfeldy Distillery, Highlands
The Aberfeldy distillery lies on the south bank of the Tay River in the North of the Midlands in the very heart of Scotland. The name 'Aberfeldy' (just as any names with the prefixes 'Aber', 'Lhan', 'Pit' or 'Fin') implies the existence of a Pictish settlement in the nearby area. The tribe of Picts were the early settlers of Scotland before the arrival of the Celtic tribe from Ireland known as the 'Scotti'
Established in 1896 by John Dewar & Sons, Aberfeldy started operating in 1898. Tommy Dewar, one of the founders and a pioneer in the production of blend whisky, was the third person in Britain ever to buy a car, after Thomas Lipton (of the tea merchants) and the Prince of Wales. The distillery was essentially created with the single purpose of producing the malt needed for the production of Dewars&rsquo blends. The single malt from Aberfeldy enters in the composition of the famous blend Dewar's White Label, Scottish Leader, and Johnnie Walker.
The distillery business prospered (aside from a brief closure during the Second World War), aided by the fact that it was conveniently located near the Aberfeldy-Perth railway. In 1998, John Dewar & Sons (a Bacardi subsidiary) acquired Aberfeldy back from United Distillers (Diageo). Aberfeldy is still an important component in today's 'Dewar's' and 'White Label' blends. It is also known for making beautiful 12, 16 and 21-year-old expressions, alongside limited releases finished in a range of different casks.
Speyside Whisky
To some Speyside represents the jewel in whisky’s crown. Speyside is the home of legal whisky production and it’s best known examples. Around the world Glenlivet, Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenrothes and Glenfarclas typify all that whisky, at it’s best has to offer. At it’s heart running from the Monadhliath mountains north to the sea, is the River Spey. It is the fastest flowing river in Britain, and also well known for its salmon fishing.
Speyside is the principal whisky-producing region: Speyside has within it some forty-six operating distilleries - over half the total number in the entire Scotland.
Speysides are essentially sweet whiskies. They have little peaty character They are typically highly perfumed, feminine and elegant.
The classical nature of Speyside’s malts means that a number of the finest malts are used almost exclusively for blending. It is the top Speysider’s that give good blends their ‘Top Dressing’.
Malts such as Mortlach, Glen Elgin, Strathmill and Benrinnes are rarely found as distillery bottlings, however when individual casks are tracked down by independent bottlers such as our Own Selection Single Malt Whiskies the resultant whisky can be quite wonderful.
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Description
Branded as ‘The Golden Dram’, Aberfeldy’s 12-year-old is an amiable and moreish whisky which justifies its golden status at every level. There’s a generously spiced and honeyed palate, alongside a plethora of both exotic and orchard fruits. This dram is also accompanied by subtle hints of smoke, which are delicately positioned amongst the vast array of flavours. Aberfeldy 12 is matured in a combination of Sherry, Bourbon, re-fill and re-charred casks, which have been carefully selected to delightfully balance and exhibit this liquid gold in all its glory.
Another factor contributing to Aberfeldy’s golden status is that gold deposits have been found in the Pitlie Burn (Aberfeldy’s water source), so it may be possible that this liquid has encountered gold itself.
It comes as no surprise that Aberfeldy has been awarded over 150 Gold Medals by the world’s top spirits competitions for its Golden Dram. Luxuriously smooth, Aberfeldy 12 is best served neat but can equally be enjoyed as a refreshing highball during the warmer summer months.
Bob Johnson, Customer Service Advisor, Berry Bros. & Rudd (May 2023)
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