The Aberfeldy Distillery, which sits not far from the famous ‘Birks of Aberfeldy’, a gorge described in Robert Burns’s famous song of the same name, has been producing a single malt whiskies since its founding in 1898 and forms part of Bacardi's John Dewar & Sons portfolio. The new Aberfeldy 40 Years Old is the distillery's oldest whisky ever released and is the first to be made available in a series of three single cask editions.
Described as having a ‘distinct personality’, the whiskies have been resting in oak since the spirit was distilled back in the late 1970s. Aberfeldy’s malt master, Stephanie Macleod, uncovered three separate single casks, all described as having ‘remarkable’ qualities.
“To find one cask at this venerable age, is extraordinary but to find three, is exceptional,” says Stephanie. “Just think of the four decades of history these casks have slumbered through.”
Filled on 22 August 1978, all three casks are American Oak, ex-Bourbon Hogsheads. The first to be released is cask #5029, the second in the line-up will be cask #5030, with cask #5031 being the final in this collection. Offering an ‘ultra-premium, hands-on experience’ purchasers will be given the opportunity to fill their own bottle by hand, directly from the cask, in the distillery’s historic warehouses as the finale of a special tour experience.
“The single cask is something that we at Aberfeldy bottle rarely – to have the honour of filling your very own bottle of our oldest and most exclusive whisky yet, is a truly special opportunity,” continues Stephanie. “The golden hallmarks of the distillery are evident; beautifully-balanced, elegant and well-mannered with peerless texture, perfectly expressed by these 40-year-old bottlings.”
On sale for £2,500 a bottle, Aberfeldy 40 Years Old will be exclusively available from the Aberfeldy Distillery, both on-site and via its new online shop at: www.aberfeldy-40-whisky.com.
Cask #5029 50.1% ABV, 160 bottles
“Honeysuckle and freshly cut grass, ushers in the signature notes of heather honey. On the palate, a burst of cloves, then relaxing with cereal notes.”
Cask #5030 47.3% ABV, 134 bottles
“Lemon curd on buttered toast, delicately balanced with notes of thyme and rosemary and a creamy caramel finish. Full bodied and endlessly smooth on the palate.”
Cask #5031 46.1% ABV, 97 bottles
“Charming citrus scented crème brûlée, fresh peaches and soft oak. On a palate a smooth and complex finish awaits.”
Described as having a ‘distinct personality’, the whiskies have been resting in oak since the spirit was distilled back in the late 1970s. Aberfeldy’s malt master, Stephanie Macleod, uncovered three separate single casks, all described as having ‘remarkable’ qualities.
“To find one cask at this venerable age, is extraordinary but to find three, is exceptional,” says Stephanie. “Just think of the four decades of history these casks have slumbered through.”
Filled on 22 August 1978, all three casks are American Oak, ex-Bourbon Hogsheads. The first to be released is cask #5029, the second in the line-up will be cask #5030, with cask #5031 being the final in this collection. Offering an ‘ultra-premium, hands-on experience’ purchasers will be given the opportunity to fill their own bottle by hand, directly from the cask, in the distillery’s historic warehouses as the finale of a special tour experience.
“The single cask is something that we at Aberfeldy bottle rarely – to have the honour of filling your very own bottle of our oldest and most exclusive whisky yet, is a truly special opportunity,” continues Stephanie. “The golden hallmarks of the distillery are evident; beautifully-balanced, elegant and well-mannered with peerless texture, perfectly expressed by these 40-year-old bottlings.”
On sale for £2,500 a bottle, Aberfeldy 40 Years Old will be exclusively available from the Aberfeldy Distillery, both on-site and via its new online shop at: www.aberfeldy-40-whisky.com.
Tasting Notes
By Stephanie Macleod, malt master at Aberfeldy.
1st release:
Cask #5029 50.1% ABV, 160 bottles
“Honeysuckle and freshly cut grass, ushers in the signature notes of heather honey. On the palate, a burst of cloves, then relaxing with cereal notes.”
2nd release:
Cask #5030 47.3% ABV, 134 bottles
“Lemon curd on buttered toast, delicately balanced with notes of thyme and rosemary and a creamy caramel finish. Full bodied and endlessly smooth on the palate.”
3rd release:
Cask #5031 46.1% ABV, 97 bottles
“Charming citrus scented crème brûlée, fresh peaches and soft oak. On a palate a smooth and complex finish awaits.”
