Aberlour

Aberlour

Aberlour distillery is in the village of Charlestown of Aberlour in Speyside. Situated a stones throw from the river Spey it produces a fruity and complex single malt whisky that is especially at home in Oloroso Sherry casks. It is a big part of the Chivas Regal and Ballantine's blending houses and is owned by Pernod Ricard.

Aberlour was founded by James Fleming in 1879 due to its proximity to fertile farmland and pure spring water which runs down the granite slopes of nearby Ben Rinnes. These days the majority of barley used at the distillery is grown within 15 miles of the site.

History 

Aberlour distillery was founded in 1879 by respected community member James Fleming on the site of an old mill. His estate was responsible for the village's first public meeting place as well as the Fleming Cottage Hospital which was built after his death. He also paid for the Penny Bridge which connects Aberlour and Knockando to this day. Fleming built and ran Aberlour distillery until 1892 having gained a knowledge of distilling from a 10 year tenure as leaseholder of Dailuaine distillery in nearby Carron. 

It was rebuilt in the 1950s as the industry modernised. The distillery was expanded again in 1973 to house 4 stills bringing the production capacity to around 4 million litres of pure alcohol. Aberlour was acquired by Pernod Ricard in 1975. In 2001 they joined the Chivas Brothers portfolio. 

In 2025 the distillery embarked on a major expansion to help them achieve their environmental goals and increase their capacity from 4 million to 8 million litres of alcohol making it one of Scotland's largest distilleries.

1860's - James Fleming becomes leaseholder at Dailuaine distillery in Carron

In the 1860's, James Fleming in his 30s takes leasehold of Dailuaine distillery for 10 years. This was part of his desire to become more financially secure and diversify from his family's trade as tenant farmers. Before this move, James was a grain merchant. It seems his background would always be tied to some form of agriculture, and each move in his early career expanded his network of spirits contacts.z

1879 - James builds Aberlour distillery

Aberlour distillery was built on the site of an old mill in Charlestown of Aberlour. It drew spring water from St Drostan's well and cooling water from the Lour Burn which runs alongside.

1892 - James sells the distillery

In 1892 James sells the distillery to Robert Thorne and Sons. James would spend the rest of his life giving back to the local community. His philanthropy included the Aberlour Cottage Hospital, the town's first public hall (Fleming Hall) and the building of the Penny Bridge which still connects Aberlour to Knockando on the Speyside Way.

1898 - Aberlour catches fire

Aberlour was rebuilt in 1898 after fire broke out.

1950s and 1960s - Aberlour modernises

Post WWII the Scotch industry centralised some processes like malting and warehousing. Aberlour was no different. By this time the distillery was capable of producing around 2 million litres of pure alcohol per year. 

1973 - Aberlour expands

In 1973 a second set of stills was added at Aberlour. This increased capacity to almost 4 millions litres of pure alcohol making it one of the largest in Scotland.

1975 - Pernod buys Aberlour

In 1975 Pernod buys Aberlour and sets it on the way to become France's biggest selling single malt. In 2001, it would join Pernod's stable of 14 distilleries as they took over the Chivas Bros portfolio. Aberlour is a jewel in the crown alongside The Glenlivet.

1980s - Aberlour cracks the top 10

Since the 1980's, Aberlour has been in the top 10 best selling single malts globally.

1997 - Aberlour launches Abunadh batch 1

Aberlour launched it's cask strength, Sherry monster Abunadh in 1997. This incredible NAS release is the likely inspiration for such Club favourites as Glendronach Cask Strength, Tamdhu Batch Strength and The Macallan 110 Proof. Iconic.

2014 - Aberlour sells 3.5 million bottles

In 2014, the Aberlour achieved unprecedented sales of over 3.5 million bottles of single malt whisky.

2025 - Distillery expansion

As part of Pernod Ricard's sustainability plans, Aberlour is completely revamped as a distillery site. Capacity is doubled with 2 new sets of stills. This takes the capacity to almost 8 million litres of pure alcohol per litre.

Did you know?

Charlestown of Aberlour is home to the Walker's shortbread factory where every finger of butter shortbread with the Walker's name is manufactured today following a recipe devised by Joseph Walker in 1898.

Whisky Style

Aberlour straddles the line between a classic Speyside single malt and a classic Highland style. It's short, plain necked stills give the spirit a robust, malty character, but they are run nice and slowly to encourage fruitiness. Blackcurrant fruit is the overwhelming aroma when the stills are running the middle cut.

Distillery Process

Being in Speyside, Aberlour is close to some of the best barley growing land in Scotland. Working with local maltsters, they can claim that all of their malted barley is grown within 15 miles of the distillery.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel washbacks aiming for short fermentations of around 2 days. This keeps the wash clean developing notes of orchard fruits and green grass in the stills. 

Distillation of Aberlour takes place in short, plain neck copper pot stills. The low height of the stills encourage heavier, maltier flavours over their neck. They are run slowly and the spirit is condensed using shell and tube condensers to maximise copper contact and promote fruitiness. The new make spirit smells of blackcurrant and malted barley.

The majority of Aberlour is filled into ex-American oak Bourbon barrels or Oloroso Sherry casks. The ex-American oak bring lots of vanilla and coconut aromas whilst the Sherry casks bring dried fruit and dark chocolate aromas. The majority of their output these days is a marriage of both of these casks types carrying the "double cask" maturation label.

Previous Whisky Club releases

The Whisky Club has featured 7 expressions from Aberlour.

Aberlour 2012 Limited Batch Release - created exclusively for The Whisky Club

The Aberlour 2012 vintage release was created exclusively for The Whisky Club and focussed on first fill casks. A mix of American oak and Oloroso Sherry casks this was a bespoke take on Aberlour's double cask style. It was bottled at a punchy 51% ABV allowing the intense fruitiness of the spirit to shine through. It was awarded a gold medal at San Francisco.

We found notes of heather honey, orchard fruits and soft spices.

Try this if you like Balvenie Doublewood.

Aberlour 2012 Limited Batch Release

Age: 12 years old

ABV: 51%

RRP: $140

Read more: Aberlour 2012 Limited Batch Release

Aberlour 2010 Limited Batch Release Double Cask - created exclusively for The Whisky Club

The Aberlour 2010 vintage release was created exclusively for The Whisky Club focussing on the distillery's award winning double cask style. It was bottled at 48% ABV and was a lesson in creating complexity through cask selection balancing rich Sherry with sweet vanilla on top of the distillery's complex and fruity character. It was awarded a double gold medal at San Francisco scoring a near perfect 99/100.

We found notes of caramel, orange zest and toasted oak.

Try this if you like Glenfiddich 12.

Aberlour 2010 Limited Batch Release Double Cask - created exclusively for The Whisky Club

Age: 13 years old

ABV: 48%

RRP: $145

Read more: Aberlour 2010 Limited Batch Release Double Cask - created exclusively for The Whisky Club

Aberlour 18 years old

Aberlour 18 is an multi-award winning single malt whisky having scored golds and double golds at San Francisco, ISC and IWSC competitions. It shows what their double cask maturation policy does to their fruity spirit when it is given 18 years to develop. It is a whisky of richness, complexity, decadence and lots of Sherry. 

We found notes of apricot, honey and leather.

Try this if you like Dalmore Cigar Malt 12.

Aberlour 18 years old

Age: 18 years old

ABV: 43%

RRP: $150

Read more: Aberlour 18 years old

Aberlour 16 years old Double Cask

Aberlour 16 double cask matured is the latest in age statement double cask matured Aberlours featured at The Whisky Club. Unlike Balvenie's Doublewood which is finished in Sherry casks, Aberlour mature both the Bourbon casks and Sherry casks separately before marrying them together. The 16 is definitely balanced more towards the rich Sherry end of the flavour spectrum.

We found notes of cherry, chocolate and dried fruit.

Try this if you like The Macallan Double Cask 15.

Aberlour 16 years old Double Cask

Age: 16 years old

ABV: 40%

RRP: $165

Read more: Aberlour 16 years old Double Cask

Aberlour 14 years old Double Cask

Aberlour 14 double cask matured scored 98/100 at IWSC two years in a row in 2020 and 2021. After 14 years in a warehouse in Scotland, Aberlour single malt from Sherry casks and Bourbon casks are married together. Created by Graham Cruickshank, this expression unsurprisingly showcases the distillery character in all of it's glory.   

We found notes of blackcurrant, rich butterscotch and cherries.

Try this if you like Glenkinchie Distiller's Edition.

Aberlour 14 years old Double Cask

Age: 14 years old

ABV: 40%

RRP: $125

Read more: Aberlour 14 years old

Aberlour A'bunadh Alba

Aberlour A'bunadh Alba was a cask strength sister release to their famed Sherry monster A'bunadh range. The team at the distillery wanted to showcase how at home the distillery was in ex Bourbon casks and they did that with this 60.4% ABV bottling. Matured in 100% first fill Bourbon casks, this whisky took no prisoners.

We found notes of vanilla, toffee, almonds and blackcurrant crumble.

Try this if you like The Balvenie Single Barrel.

Aberlour Aberlour A'bunadh Alba

Age: NAS

ABV: 60.4%

RRP: $135

Read more: Aberlour A'bunadh Alba

Aberlour Casg Annamh Batch 0001

This Aberlour Casg Annamh was the first ever batch produced and included first fill Bourbon, first fill Sherry and refill casks across various ages. Casg Annamh means "Rare Cask" in Gaelic, highlighting the small batch size of these releases. So far there have been 11 batches produced.

We found notes of apple crumble, glazed cherries and ginger.

Try this if you like The Glenlivet 15.

Aberlour Casg Annamh Batch 0001

Age: NAS

ABV: 48%

RRP: $115

Read more: Aberlour Annamh Batch 0001

Aberlour FAQ

What is Aberlour?

Aberlour is a Speyside single malt whisky distillery in the town of Charlestown of Aberlour. It produces a fruity and malty style of new make spirit. It can produce up to 4 million litres of pure alcohol per year with a planned expansion due to be finished in 2027 doubling this capacity.

When was Aberlour founded?

Aberlour was officially founded in 1879 by local farmer and distillery James Fleming on the site of an old mill. 

Where is Aberlour made?

Aberlour is produced near the banks of the Spey in the village of Aberlour. 

What style of whisky does Aberlour produce?

Aberlour makes a traditional Speyside style of whisky. Both fruity and malty, it straddles the line between a traditional Speyside and a traditional Highland style of single malt whisky.

How is Aberlour whisky unique?

Aberlour's spirit has a distinct blackcurrant fruity aroma when it comes off the still. It matures well in both ex Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks.

What casks are used to mature Aberlour?

Aberlour is known for using 3 styles of oak casks:

• American oak ex Bourbon barrels
• Sherry casks
• Refill casks
  

Their Double Cask range balances the vanilla sweetness from the ex Bourbon casks with the dried fruit notes showcased from the Sherry casks.

Does Aberlour produce limited editions?

Yes. Perhaps their most famous limited release is A'bunadh, a first fill Sherry cask natural strength single malt whisky. In addition, they have released limited batches of older expressions including a 21 year old, a 25 year old and a 50 year old single malt.

Has The Whisky Club released Aberlour before?

Yes. The Whisky Club has featured 8 Aberlours including 3 expressions created exclusively for our Members. The 2010 and 2012 vintages both won double gold medals.

Is Aberlour suitable for beginners?

Yes. Aberlour is one of the top 10 best-selling single malts globally and is a great example of fruit and sherried Speyside whiskies. 

Can you visit Aberlour distillery?

At time of writing, Aberlour's distillery is closed for tours, but visitors can book tastings. When it reopens, it will be as a Whisky Club clubhouse offering discounted tours to our Members.

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