Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: Yes
Added colouring: Yes
Owner: Bacardi
Average price: € 35.00
Official website: www.aberfeldy.com
Vote: 69/100
Founded in 1896 with production beginning two years later, Aberfeldy was owned by John Dewar & Sons, and like many other Scottish distilleries experienced several closures between the world wars due to rationing of the raw material, barley.
Production all ended up in blends, even under the new ownership of the Distillers Company since 1925, and it was not until 1991 (when DC became Diageo) that the first Aberfeldy came out under the Flora & Fauna label.
In 1998 Bacardi acquired Dewar’s and all related brands, beginning a limited portfolio of original bottlings with the 12, 18 and 25 year old (later changed to 21), as the distillate still originated primarily for blends.
Four stills for distillation with production under four million liters annually, it saw a total label redesign in 2014.
An introductory version of the distillery, this 12-year-old is the result of mixed aging between first- and second-fill casks, recharred and not… the details aren’t many, it is known just that it is minimum ABV with all the appropriate adulterations.
Tasting notes
The nose is dominated by fruit, declined to tropical (pineapple, banana, coconut) along with apricot, peach and apple, supported by honey (a lot), vanilla, butter cookies, floral impressions and a touch of cinnamon. Soft and lovely, it even manages to express a faint wax note at length.
Bordering on ethereal on the palate, with a substantial dose of pepper on the ever-fruity profile that appears less cohesive and assertive here, melting briefly into an unceremonious bitter streak. A few impressions of vanilla and nuts, rather evanescent.
Inevitably short finish of wood, light vanilla, apple, herbaceous notes on a bitter streak.
Let’s add another member to the (unfortunately) long list of whiskies killed by low alcohol content, with enormous potential expressed at the aromatic level that crashes on excessive dilution. Evident reasons why it underlies Dewar’s blends, but much more could have been done.