The Aberfeldy 12-year Single Malt is distilled at the Dewar’s main production house in Aberfeldy, Scotland. Just North of Perth, this is where the Dewar’s family got its world-renown start. Aberfeldy is not just home to the Dewar’s Distillery, but also the home of the Black Watch Regiment that is also world-famous.

If you would like to read about the Dewar’s Distillery and the production process, please read the following review:

Dewar’s Distillery and its White Label Scotch

Another great Scotch is:

Johnnie Walker: Blue Label

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ABERFELDY 12-YR

One of the first things to know is that those of us outside the UK CANNOT purchase this Scotch unless you are willing to drop over $70 for the product + shipping. I had to bring back 2 bottles for myself and I am already paranoid that they will run out before I can head over to Scotland again. UPDATE: You can now purchase this product in the USA

The review on Dewar’s listed above is the complete distillation process of the Aberfeldy. Even though it is under the White Label category, the distillation I describe is the 12-year single malt. They take this and then marry it with other products to make the White Label.

SIGHT

The Aberfeldy is beautifully transparent and shines like liquid gold. I use this to describe most whisky of awesome quality, but I have not better way to describe it. Holding your glass to the light and slightly swirling the glass is an awesome way to begin your evening. I use rocks as well, so the prism effect can become quite hypnotic.

SMELL

The burnt peat smell is very evident. In our tour, our Dewar’s guide actually handed out peat in its pure form and then the burnt peat. The smell of peat and this scotch will never fail to bring back pleasant memories and a hunger for whisky.

You can also smell a sweetness lingering in the whisky as if a floral bouquet is attempting to get out.


TASTE

The single malt Aberfeldy is extremely smooth with its smoky, burnt taste. It is one of the mellowest whiskies that I’ve tasted at only 12 years aged. I would put this scotch closer to 18 to even 25 year of aging based on its depth and smoothness.

This whisky is not as harsh and senses overpowering as most with its honey sweet flavor and hints of flowers. The distillery said that is uses Heather as an ingredient, however, I am not sure how they do that or what exactly Heather tastes like. The plant is very present amongst the Higland Hills especially when we were there in July and August. The plant is flowery and piney if that’s a good way to describe how the ingredient affects the taste of the Aberfeldy.

Remember, if you have ever consumed the Dewar’s White Label, you have tasted the Aberfeldy whisky. However, you have tasted it blended with other whiskies and grain alcohols.

THE AFTER TASTE

This single malt scotch is up there with some of the many I have tried while in Scotland and in the U.S. I very much enjoyed how smooth is was and how wonderfully a couple cubes of ice softened the drink even more so that you need to slow down your drinking or you’ll be in trouble.

I will always try to have Aberfeldy available in my home even with the constraints of getting it from the UK. I have a spot right next to it where I am budgeting $5 a month for 2 and ½ years so I can buy the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. I will be surprised if I find another scotch that will impress me as much as these two.

I have do have a bottle of the Glen Morangie but that has been getting no attention for quite some time now. Perhaps I’ll just have to twist my own arm and give it another go.

Any other suggestions? I’m always willing to drink in the name of science!

**NOTE** I recently updated this review to reflect that you can now purchase 12 and 21 year old Aberfeldy in the US. You can get Aberfeldy 12 year ~$37.

Recommended: Yes

Write a Review