Aberlour 12 Year Double Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Distillery

Founded in 1879, Aberlour Distillery is located in the heart of Speyside, Scotland. Their single malt whiskies have won a strong amount of awards at international spirits competitions and offer an interesting range of expressions. Aberlour is owned by Pernod Ricard and is one of the best-selling single malts in France, where it has a particularly devoted following.

The Expression

The Aberlour 12 Year Old is matured in both traditional oak and sherry casks. This double cask maturation brings rich depth and balance to the crisp, citrus character at its core, with layers of honeyed fruit and sweet spice. Specifically, it is aged 12 years in a combination of American oak ex-bourbon casks and sherry-seasoned butts. It is bottled at 40% ABV and is widely considered one of the best entry points into sherried Speyside single malt — accessible, affordable, and genuinely enjoyable. 

Tasting Notes

Nose: Red apples, plenty of honey, fresh plums and figs, blueberries, a hint of raisins, vanilla, sweet pears, caramel, and milk chocolate, with lemon notes emerging with time. Orange peel, banana, and toasted nuts also feature, with chocolate and barley notes emerging as the dram opens in the glass.

Palate: Sweet blackberries and plenty of honey, raisins in the background, vanilla, followed by a hint of raw cashew nuts, and then spices such as cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. A very rich and full taste, striking a balance between fruity aromas, chocolate, and a slight hint of wood — smooth and gliding on the tongue.

Finish: Warm and lingering. Sweet and spicy. Soft apple and maple sugar, along with savory pears and plenty of vanilla.