In 2024 Dewar’s Aberfeldy revealed a series of new events and experiences at their visitor center. The immersive new experiences promise to be fascinating insights into the distillery for new and existing fans. Whether you have been a long time fan of Aberfeldy single malt or are more familiar with the Dewar’s blends, here are five things you might not know about this highland distillery.
You Can Hand Fill Your Own 40 Year Old And Spend A Night In A Castle
There are a lot of new experiences, events and releases at the Aberfeldy distillery for 2024. The Warehouse Experience includes a chance to fill your own bottle of 40 year old whisky straight from the cask. But if you are after an immersive, whisky themed getaway then you should definitely check out the Highland Experience, which includes the 40 year old and the chance to live like a laid (lord) and spend a night in a castle.
The ultimate Aberfeldy whisky break starts with a private tour of the distillery, which is bathed in more than 100 years of history. After that you can enjoy a tutored tasting with the Aberfeldy brand ambassador in the secret bar before opening the hidden doors to the warehouse experience. In this hidden room rests a single cask of 40 year old. It’s been hand selected for its exceptional quality and is perfect balance, and is ready for you to fill your own bottle, which will be hand labeled and wax sealed.
You’ll then retire to the penthouse suite of the 5-star Fonab Castle. It’s up to you if you prefer to head to the hills for a walk or retire to the spar for a signature treatment. Refreshed and pampered, take a seat in the three AA Rosette awarded Sandeman’s restaurant. In a private pod you will explore a seven course tasting menu, rounded off with a whisky nightcap before you retire back to your castle for the night.
The next day guests will rise refreshed and ready to be whisked off to explore the highlands in a private safari. Hopefully you’re still hungry after breakfast and can enjoy lunch and a guided whisky food pairing. And if you don’t feel like a highland Laird (lord) after all of that then there’s only one solution: time to try more exceptional single malt.
Learn More About The Aberfeldy Distillery In Its Heritage Museum
The team at Dewar’s Aberfeldy distillery have been hard at work on their visitor center. It has been carefully curated to offer an insightful experience, including a dedicated heritage museum.
A collection of historic items have been saved and carefully displayed for visitors to enjoy. From a replica office from the founding days and old keys to the warehouse, the small but perfectly curated museum allows the fascinating history of America’s favorite scotch whisky blend to unfold. It’s a treasure trove for whisky enthusiasts, perfectly balancing the interest levels for both casual and enthusiastic whisky fans.
“The museum at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery, carefully curated by Global Heritage Manager Jacqui Sargeant and the archive team, envelopes you in the world of Dewar’s. Telling the story of John Dewar, his descendants, and their distilling and blending legacy, the museum certainly reinforces the fact that you can’t buy history,” said Beth Squires, deputy editor of The Whiskey Wash, who was fortunate to visit the distillery recently and described the heritage museum as one of her highlights,
Tommy Dewar Sent A Case Of White Label To The President
The Aberfeldy distillery is over 125 years old. The iconic Dewar’s blend can trace its roots back further, but Aberfeldy was founded in 1896 by John and Tommy Dewar, the sons of Dewar’s founder, John Dewar.
Back in 1896 it was John Dewar (the son) who played the main part in founding the Aberfeldy distillery. The brother’s required a reliable source of spirit for their blended whisky; Dewar’s white label. Tommy Dewar’s responsibility was to build the reputation of that blend, first in Scotland, then in London, and finally in America.
Tommy famously sent a case of Dewar’s White Label to President Benjamin Harrison. It was controversial at the time, but for both Dewar’s and scotch in general it was an act that would cement the brand’s position in American awareness. Dewar’s blended scotch went on to become the best selling blended scotch whisky in the American market.
Diageo Were Forced To Sell Aberfeldy In 1997
Dewar’s blended whisky is so dominant in the US market that the brand became a key negotiating piece back in 1997 when Diageo formed from the merging of Grand Met and Guinness. The merger threatened to produce a monopoly situation in certain whisky markets and part of the conditions imposed in the USA and Europe was that the Dewar’s brand had to be sold in its three biggest markets of the time; The USA, Spain and Greece. As those three markets made up more than 80% of total sales in 1997 Diageo announced they would sell the entire blend.
In 1998 Bacardi paid $1,480 million (£1,150 million) for both the Dewar’s brand and the three key distilleries required to make the world renowned whisky, including Aberfeldy. That’s around $2,800 million today. It was specified that the sale had to include enough stock to continue making the blend at the same high standard, which has continued through to today.
The Most Expensive Aberfeldy Is A One-Of-One 39-Year-Old
In October 2023 the record was set for the most expensive bottle of Aberfeldy ever sold. It was donated by Dewar’s for the Distiller’s One-Of-One auction to raise money for their charity supporting young people in Scotland.
The one-off bottle was a bespoke release in a unique crystal carafe. The single bottle of 39 year old Aberfeldy was distilled in 1983 and bottled from a single cask at 51.8% ABV. The bottle sold for just over $19,300 (£15,000 including buyer’s premium) at Sothebys.
Signup now to make sure you don't miss out on the latest whiskey news and deals.
By Signing up, you accept and agree to our Terms of Services and you acknowledge our Privacy Statement. The Whiskey Wash is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The original version of this article was written by me for Forbes.com
Latest On The Whiskey Wash
Latest News