This Aberfeldy 12 is part of the Last Great Malt series being put out by John Dewar & Sons who built the distillery back in 1896. Aberfeldy is one of the main single malts used in making the Dewar’s line of blended scotch whisky and is often called the golden dram. This is because it’s source of water, the Pitilie Burn (the little bottle in the picture), is filled with gold deposits. The water also has a soft minerally aspect to it that comes through a bit in the whisky.

Over the years Aberfeldy hasn’t really pushed out it’s single malt much and when it’s shown up it’s typically been under the domain of 3rd party bottlers (NDPs) who have been tasting and bottling resting casks not marked for Dewar’s blending. These NDPs have helped keep the name alive, but this is the first time it’s really going to be distributed this widely and this prominently. Especially here in America.

Aberfeldy 12 Review

Bottle: 2905

ABV: 40%
Age: 12 yrs
Price: $35 – $40ish*
Distiller: Aberfeldy / John Dewars & Sons

EYE
Amber

NOSE
Butterscotch and a complex overripe fruit jump out of the glass followed by notes of malt, vanilla and hints of sweet white grapes. Some grassy notes hang about with some honey and a sweetness that reminds me of the Playdough / Superman ice-cream I loved as a kid. A nice nose indeed.

PALATE
Rich overripe fruit mixes with some hay like malt, wood and candied citrus rind. Dark honey and dried dates and figs play a prominent secondary roll as it moves across the palate. There is a Baklava and muscovite sugar quality that mixes with some minerality on the backend.

FINISH
Long and driven by apricots and wood. Notes of vanilla, cinnamon, malt, toffee and dried orchard fruit mix in and out as it slowly fades.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance with some darker notes mixing in with some of the brighter ones. Full bodied with a soft and chewy texture that makes for a nice drinking experience.

OVERALL
Tasty stuff. The deep fruity nose compliments the oak and fruit palate that continues nicely through the finish. I’m really enjoying sitting in my recliner with my dog on my legs, laptop on my lap and this in my mouth. One moment it’s light and fruity, the next there are some darker notes that appear; bringing it back down and evening things out. A fun and flavorful dram I’m enjoying more and more with every sip.

SCORE: 89/100

*Disclosure: This was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.

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