Aberlour

The single malt from the Aberlour Distillery is one of the most elegant whiskies in Scotland. With sweet apple notes, fine nutty flavours and the skilful use of Spanish sherry casks, Aberlour enchants every palate. Mild and strong in character at the same time. Treat yourself to this fine drop from Speyside. For example, the Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask.

About Aberlour

The Aberlour Distillery is located in the eponymous village of Aberlour in the heart of the famous whisky region of Speyside in Scotland. It greets you right at the end of the village (or entrance, depending). Aberlour is therefore one of the few whisky distilleries in Scotland that is within walking distance. However, accommodation in the small town is not easy. The legendary whisky pub & BnB The Mashtun is a good choice for whisky lovers.

The Aberlour Distillery has a moving history behind it. You can find out why Aberlour can celebrate three birthdays in the history section below. Aberlour is part of Pernod Ricard and therefore also has the famous Glenlivet distillery as a sibling distillery. For us, Aberlour is one of the timeless Single Malt Scotch brands and is a good choice for both whisky novices and experienced whisky lovers.

3 reasons to love Aberlour

1) Because the distillery refuses to be beaten down.

2) Because the single malt is a timeless classic.

3) Because 3 birthdays are always a reason to celebrate.

What does Aberlour whisky taste like?

Elegant, round, balanced - these terms are used to describe the Aberlour house style. Aberlour is a non-smoky and very sweet and fruity single malt. Flavours of red apples, honey and soft nutty notes can be found in Aberlour whiskies. Depending on the bottling and cask composition, the caramel and vanilla notes or the berry sherry notes are emphasised more. With this flattering malt, you will usually hit the right note.

Recommendations in the Aberlour range

The beauty of Aberlour is that the range offers suitable bottlings for every connoisseur. The low-volume bottlings in particular are ideal for introducing newcomers to single malt whisky. One example is the mild, sweetAberlour 10 Year Old Forest Reserve and the Aberlour 12 Year Old Double Cask. For a velvety smooth and deeper flavour experience, go for the older variants such as the Aberlour 16 Year Old Double Cask Matured or the Aberlour 18 Year Old.

For experienced whisky lovers, Aberlour has created a special version of the 12-year-old single malt without chill-filtering and with an increased drinking strength. The Aberlour 12 Year Old Non Chill-Filtered comes in a glass at 48% vol. More tailwind for the flavours is therefore guaranteed. The Aberlour Casg Annamh also comes into the glass at an increased strength of 48% vol. The popular Aberlour A'bunadh bottlings go one step further. These come in intense cask strength and are also non-chill filtered. These cask strength bottlings are bottled in batches and therefore vary slightly in character, but are always worth buying. The Aberlour A'bunadh was originally created as a full maturation in casks that previously contained sherry. This allows you to enjoy the full flavour of sherry cask maturation. The Aberlour A'bunadh Alba is now also available in a variant made from ex-bourbon casks. Here you can explore the light fruity side of this excellent Scotch whisky.

How is Aberlour single malt produced?

The majority of today's beautiful stone buildings, where Aberlour whisky is produced, were built in 1892. The distillery is located just a stone's throw from the river Spey, which gives its name to the legendary Speyside whisky region. However, the name Aberlour comes from the small tributary of the Lour. Literally translated, Aberlour means "mouth of the Lour", where the distillery is located. The source of Aberlour's clear water, St Drosdan's Well, is said to have healing powers. Once you have visited the nearby Linn Falls, you too will believe it. This fabulously beautiful little waterfall was once a place of worship for Celts and druids. The Lour flows past the Standing Stones of Fairy Hill. Who wouldn't want this magical water in their whisky?

The water from the River Lour is used for the cooling systems of the stills. However, this is returned to the river untouched, as only pure spring water is used in the whisky itself. Fermentation takes place in six large stainless steel washbacks. Today, Aberlour distils the distillate for the single malt whisky in four onion-shaped pot stills. The copper stills have no protrusions. Aberlour single malt matures in both ex-bourbon casks and ex-sherry casks. The malty, fruity spirit blends beautifully with both American and European oak. Aberlour is one of the best-selling malt whiskies in France. Aberlour single malt is also used in some blends, such as the Scotch Clan Campbell.

About the history of Aberlour - three birthdays!

Aberlour can actually celebrate three birthdays. The distillery was first built in 1826, but fell victim to a major fire in 1878. In 1879, James Fleming, also owner of the nearby Dailuaine Distillery, rebuilt Aberlour. The current location was chosen partly because of St Drosdan's Spring, which was said to have healing powers. Then in 1898 came another low blow. Another fire destroyed the distillery buildings and the stock. A bitter setback for any whisky distillery. Several changes of ownership followed until Aberlour was taken over by the French drinks group Pernod Ricard in 1975. Since then, Aberlour has obviously been in good hands with the Scottish subsidiary Chivas Brother. A small visitor centre was opened in 2002. Let's keep our fingers crossed that a fourth birthday won't be necessary.

Figures & facts about Aberlour

Address: Charlestown-of-Aberlour, Banffshire, AB3 9PJ, Scotland
Founded: Originally in 1826 by James Gordon and Peter Weir in its current location in 1879 by James Fleming
Region: Speyside Whisky
Owner: Pernod Ricard, Chivas Brothers Ltd
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Smoke: Unpeated/ Unpeated/ Non-smoky
Status: active
Capacity: approx. 3,800,00 lpa (litres per year)
Distillers: 2 wash stills (21,120 l), 2 spirit stills (total 35.456 l)
Washbacks: 6, stainless steel
Mashtun: Semi Lauter, 12 tonnes
Water: Springs at Ben Rinnes, St Drosdan's spring
Visitor Centre: Yes
Phone: +44 (0)1340 / 881249
Website: www.aberlour.com