Est. 1896 • Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Highlands

Aberfeldy

"The Golden Dram"

Aberfeldy is a Highland single malt made on the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire. Built by the Dewar family in the 1890s, it is the malt at the heart of the Dewar's blend, and its own single malts are known for a honeyed, gently waxy character. Expect heather honey, orchard fruit and a warm spiced finish, a Highland style that leans sweet rather than smoky.

1896

Founded

Highlands

Region

Perthshire

Home

Honeyed

House Style

The Home of Dewar's

Where Aberfeldy sits in the Highland picture

Aberfeldy was built by the sons of John Dewar in the 1890s, on the banks of the River Tay in Perthshire, to supply malt for the family's blended whisky. It has been the beating heart of the Dewar's blend ever since, and for decades almost all of its spirit went into blends rather than single-malt bottlings.

As a single malt, Aberfeldy is Highland whisky in its sweeter register. There is no peat smoke to speak of. Instead the signature is honey, heather honey and beeswax, wrapped in orchard fruit, vanilla and a gentle spice. The body is soft and slightly waxy, which is why the 12 Year Old drinks so easily and why the older bottlings turn thick and candied with age.

To place Aberfeldy among its neighbours, read our guide to the whisky regions of Scotland and browse the wider Scotch whisky catalogue.

The Honey Ladder

How the core Aberfeldy bottlings sit against each other, everyday to special occasion

The everyday honey

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

The house style at its most approachable. Heather honey, vanilla and orchard fruit over a soft, waxy body. An easy Highland dram and the bottle to start with.

The richer step up

Aberfeldy 16 Year Old

Extra years deepen the honey into stewed fruit and warm spice, with a rounder, oakier body. More weight and length than the 12, still sweet at its core.

The mature middle

Aberfeldy 18 Year Old

Often finished in wine or sherry casks, layering dried fruit and dark sweetness over the honeyed base. A fuller, more contemplative pour.

The special-occasion Aberfeldy

Aberfeldy 21 Year Old and older

The 21 Year Old and beyond. Decades in oak turn the honey waxy and thick, with candied fruit, toffee and a long, gentle finish. Scarce, and priced for the occasion.

How to Drink It

Aberfeldy rewards a little patience. Pour the 12 Year Old neat or with a few drops of water and let the honey open up. It also makes a fine base for a honeyed Highball, long over ice with soda, or a gently spiced whisky sour where the malt's natural sweetness carries the drink. Keep the older bottlings for sipping slowly, no mixer needed.