Aberlour 12 years old Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 40%

At the foot of Ben Rinnes two burns run together, and right there sits a distillery whose founder had his life motto printed on the label. Let the deed show. No grand words, just do the work. This bottle is the distillery’s most straightforward answer to what it can do.

The Expert's Description

Aberlour 12 Years Old Double Cask Matured is a Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky matured in traditional oak casks and Oloroso sherry casks, bottled at 40%. The name says it: the whisky has rested in two different cask types, and the interplay between them is what the whole release is built on.

Aberlour's new make carries a distinctive crisp citrus character, and the sherry casks are there to complement rather than drown it. The bourbon and oak casks hold on to that freshness and a clear malt sweetness, while the Oloroso casks lay in raisins, orange and a soft spiced depth. The balance sits closer to Christmas cake than to a sherry bomb.

The distillery was founded in 1879 by the grain merchant James Fleming in the village of Aberlour, where the Lour Burn meets the River Spey. Every oak cask is chosen by the team behind the whisky, and the sherry casks are nosed through before they are filled.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Orange peel and honey first, over a clear malty floor. The sherry arrives as raisins and a streak of cinnamon, and a light nuttiness with a hint of soft caramel sits further back.

Palate

Soft and round from the first sip. Baked apples, malt and orange marmalade open, then dried fruit and a mild spiced warmth from the sherry casks. The 40% makes it easy to drink, yet there is still a decent layer of fruit to follow.

Finish

Medium length and soft. Malt, honey and a light dried fruit note that lets go calmly with no sharp edge.

Specifications

Name: Aberlour 12 Years Old Double Cask Matured Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Aberlour
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Traditional oak casks and Oloroso sherry casks
Edition: Double Cask Matured
EAN no.: 3047100017849

Flavour Profile

Sherry Matured · Fruity · Malty · Soft · Spiced · Honeyed

Did You Know?

James Fleming spent much of his fortune on the village rather than on himself. He paid for the town hall, the local hospital and the Penny Bridge across the River Spey, which locals could cross for a penny. The bridge still stands, and his motto, Let the deed show, still appears on every bottle.

See our full range of Aberlour

Frequently Asked Questions about Aberlour 12 Years Old Double Cask Matured Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 40%

What does Double Cask Matured mean?

That the whisky has matured in two different cask types: traditional oak casks and Oloroso sherry casks. Both are full maturations rather than a short finish, and the two parcels are married together before bottling.

How sherried is it?

Moderately. There are clear raisins and orange, but the citrus freshness of Aberlour’s new make gets just as much room. For the heavy dark sherry style from the same distillery you need to move further up the range.

Is 40% too low?

It is the standard strength for many official bottlings and makes the whisky easy to approach. You get less body than at 46% or cask strength, but also a softer and more straightforward experience. For everyday drinking it is rarely a problem.

Does it work as a gift for someone who does not drink much whisky?

Yes, it is one of the safest choices from Speyside. There is no smoke, no sharp edges and a fruit sweetness most people can follow. For more bottles in the same style, browse our range of Speyside Whisky.

What does Aberlour’s house style taste like?

Crisp citrus and malt in the base spirit, which the distillery consistently pairs with sherry casks. That gives a profile that is both fresh and full, with more orange and raisin than vanilla and coconut.

What is the difference between Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez in a cask?

Oloroso is a drier sherry style and gives nuts, orange and spice. Pedro Ximénez is far sweeter and gives raisins, dates and a thick mouthfeel. This release uses Oloroso, which keeps the profile on the fresher side.