Aberfeldy Distillery: A Pride of Scotland
The history of Aberfeldy distillery
Aberfeldy Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Aberfeldy, Scotland. It was founded in 1896 by John Dewar & Sons and began production in 1898. The distillery is known for its single malt whisky, which is a key component of Dewar's blended Scotch. The distillery has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including adding a second pair of stills in 1972. Today, Aberfeldy is owned by Bacardi and continues to produce a variety of whiskies, including a 12-year-old single malt that is widely available. The distillery also offers tours and tastings for visitors.
Aberfeldy Distillery is located in the heart of Scotland, in the picturesque town of Aberfeldy, which is situated in the region of Perthshire. The distillery is built on the banks of the River Tay, and the water used in the production process is sourced from the Pitilie Burn, a nearby stream that flows into the Tay.
The distillery was founded by John Dewar & Sons, a company that was known for producing quality blended Scotch whiskies. The distillery was built to help supply the malt component for Dewar's blends, which at that time, was becoming very popular in the UK and abroad. The distillery was designed by Charles Doig, a Scottish architect who was responsible for building many of the distilleries in Scotland during that period.
Aberfeldy has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. In 1972, a second pair of stills were added to the distillery, which allowed for an increase in production. The distillery also has a large warehouse where the whisky is aged. Today, Aberfeldy is owned by Bacardi, one of the largest spirits companies in the world.
Aberfeldy Distillery produces a variety of whiskies, including a 12-year-old single malt that is widely available. The distillery also produces a range of special edition and limited release whiskies that are highly sought after by collectors. They also offer tours and tastings for visitors who are interested in learning more about the history of the distillery and the production process of Aberfeldy's whiskies.
Aberfeldy distillery produces a range of different types of whiskies, including:
Single Malt Whisky: This is a whisky that is made from 100% malted barley and is distilled at a single distillery. Aberfeldy's single malt is known for its smooth, honeyed flavor and is a critical component of Dewar's blended Scotch.
Dewar's Blended Scotch Whisky: This is a blend of different single malt and grain whiskies that are carefully selected and blended together to create a smooth and consistent flavor profile. Dewar's is one of the world's most famous blended Scotch whiskies, and Aberfeldy's single malt is an essential component of the blend.
Special Edition and Limited Release whiskies are unique expressions of Aberfeldy's whisky that are only available in limited quantities. These whiskies are often aged for more extended periods of time and are highly sought after by collectors.
Cask Strength Whisky: This is a whisky that is bottled at full strength at which it comes out of the cask, usually around 60-70% ABV. This type of whisky is generally sold in small batches and is highly sought after by whisky enthusiasts.
Age-Statement Whisky: Aberfeldy also produces a range of age-statement whiskies, such as the 12-year-old, 18-year-old, and 21-year-old, that are widely available. These whiskies are aged for a minimum of the number of years stated on the label before being bottled and sold.
It's worth noting that Aberfeldy's whisky production is focused on its Single Malt and Dewar's Blended Scotch.
The most famous whisky brands sold by Aberfeldy distiller
Aberfeldy Single Malt Whisky: This is the flagship product of Aberfeldy distillery. It is a single malt whisky that is made from 100% malted barley and is distilled at the Aberfeldy distillery. The whisky is aged for at least 12 years before it is bottled, giving it a smooth and honeyed flavor with notes of vanilla, honey, and toffee. Aberfeldy Single Malt Whisky is a critical component of Dewar's blended Scotch.
Dewar's Blended Scotch Whisky: Dewar's is one of the world's most famous blended Scotch whiskies and is known for its smooth and consistent flavor profile. The blend is made from a combination of different single malt and grain whiskies that are carefully selected and blended together. Aberfeldy's single malt is an essential component of Dewar's blend.
Aberfeldy 21 Years Old: This limited edition whisky is aged for a minimum of 21 years before it is bottled. It is highly sought after by collectors and whisky enthusiasts for its rich and complex flavor profile, with notes of honey, fruit, and spices. The Aberfeldy 21 Years Old is considered one of the finest expressions of Aberfeldy's whisky and is only released in small batches.
Interesting story about Aberfeldy distiller
One interesting story about Aberfeldy distillery is that during World War II, the distillery was commandeered by the British military and used as a base for training commandos. The distillery's warehouses were used to store weapons and ammunition, and the nearby River Tay was used for training exercises. The distillery was also used as a hospital for injured soldiers.
After the war, the distillery was returned to its owners, John Dewar & Sons, who had to make extensive repairs to the buildings and equipment that had been damaged during the war. Despite the damage, the distillery was able to resume production relatively quickly, and it continued to supply malt whisky for Dewar's blends, which were in high demand.
It's worth noting that during this time, whisky production was not a priority and many distilleries were closed or used for other purposes. The fact that Aberfeldy was able to continue producing and supplying whisky for Dewar's blends, speaks to the importance of the distillery for the company and the quality of the whisky it produced.
