Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Scotch Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

Dewar’s is a pretty familiar sight in the United States, as well it should be: it’s the second-best selling Scotch Whisky brand in the country, and that country happens to be the world’s most lucrative whiskey market. Less well-known are the single malts (or grain whiskies for that matter) that go into this popular blended whisky. Dewar’s foundation is found about an hour from Dewar’s hometown of Perth, at Aberfedly.

Aberfeldy 12 Year Old is the entry-level expression in a three-step line that includes a 16 and 21 year old. The cask stock behind it is mostly ex-bourbon barrels, along with some ex-Sherry casks and re-charred casks. Some coloring is added. It is bottled at 40% ABV.

The Scotch
Aberfeldy 12 is a golden pour, and one with a nose that leads with green apples and fresh-cut grass. The scent also carries accents of graham crackers and honey. Sipping on Aberfeldy shows the grassy note turning from green and wet to dry, the fruity aspect turns more to melon, and the honey sweetness holding true. The flavor also picks up some dry wood and nutmeg. The last is what runs to the finish, with the spicy note turning peppery.

The Price
Expect to pay $45 to $50 for a 750ml bottle of Aberfeldy 12 Year Old in the US, or about £40 for a smaller, 70cl bottle in the UK.