Aberlour 12 yr Whiskey 750ml

Aberlour Distillery was founded in 1879 by James Fleming in the heart of Speyside, near the point where the River Lour meets the River Spey, a setting reflected in the distillery's name, which translates roughly to "mouth of the chattering burn." Fleming's motto, "let the deed show," still appears on every bottle today. A fire destroyed much of the distillery and its whisky stocks in 1898, and the rebuild was carried out by Charles Doig, the architect whose pagoda-style roofs became iconic across the Scotch whisky industry. The distillery has been under the ownership of Pernod Ricard since the French company acquired it.

Production begins with 100% malted barley, which is milled, cooked, and fermented before undergoing double distillation in traditional copper pot stills. The resulting spirit is then matured in two different types of oak for at least 12 years: American oak ex-bourbon barrels, which contribute vanilla, honey, and light toffee, and Oloroso sherry butts, which bring dried fruit, cinnamon, and warming spice. The two matured whiskies are married together before bottling at 40% ABV.

The nose offers red apple, orange peel, and honeyed sweetness, layered with vanilla, toasted nuts, and a hint of aniseed. On the palate, that fruit character continues with cinnamon, toffee, and a touch of chocolate, leading into a warm, moderately long finish with lingering spice. It pairs nicely with dark chocolate or a mild aged cheese.