Aberlour distillery

Introduction to Aberlour

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Aberlour is a renowned Speyside Scotch whisky distillery, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s most prolific whisky-producing region. Situated in the charming village of Aberlour, where the pristine waters of the River Spey meet Lour Burn, this distillery has earned its reputation for producing exceptionally rich and complex single malts. The distillery’s strategic location provides it with the perfect natural resources to create whiskies that celebrate both tradition and terroir.

Why we have a soft spot for Aberlour

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish distilleries that maintain a steadfast commitment to quality while letting their unique character shine through. Aberlour stands out for its meticulous double cask maturation process, combining American oak and Spanish sherry butts to create whiskies with remarkable depth and complexity. Their dedication to traditional methods, combined with a willingness to innovate, results in expressions that consistently deliver exceptional quality and value.

The History Behind Aberlour

Origin and development

Aberlour Distillery was founded in 1879 by James Fleming, a local banker and entrepreneur with a vision for creating exceptional whisky. Built near the confluence of the River Spey and Lour Burn, the distillery’s name derives from the Gaelic ‘Obar Lobhair,’ meaning ‘mouth of the chattering burn.’ Although the site had previously housed an earlier distillery (destroyed by fire), Fleming’s iteration established the foundation for what would become one of Speyside’s most respected whisky producers.

Throughout its history, Aberlour has weathered changes in ownership and even a devastating fire in 1898, each time emerging stronger and more focused on quality. Today, the distillery operates under the stewardship of Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard), maintaining its distinctive character while reaching whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

The people behind

Under the guidance of Master Distiller Graeme Cruickshank and his dedicated team, Aberlour continues to honor James Fleming’s legacy of craftsmanship and community. Each team member contributes to maintaining the delicate balance between tradition and innovation that defines Aberlour’s approach to whisky making. Their collective expertise ensures that every drop of Aberlour whisky embodies the distillery’s time-honored philosophy: “Let the deed show.”

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Aberlour’s production begins with carefully selected Scottish barley, which undergoes traditional malting processes before arriving at the distillery. The milling, mashing, and fermentation stages are conducted with meticulous attention to detail, creating a flavorful wash ready for distillation.

The distillery employs two pairs of stills – wash stills and spirit stills – with their distinctive lantern shapes contributing to Aberlour’s characteristic flavor profile. The spirit cuts are made with precision, capturing only the heart of the distillation – that perfect balance of flavor compounds that will later develop into Aberlour’s signature rich and complex character.

Maturation and aging

The true magic of Aberlour manifests during maturation, where the new-make spirit is introduced to the distillery’s hallmark double cask approach. Most Aberlour expressions mature in a combination of traditional oak ex-bourbon barrels and hand-selected Oloroso sherry butts from Spain.

This dual maturation allows the whisky to develop a remarkable complexity – drawing vanilla, honey, and subtle spice notes from American oak, while the sherry casks contribute rich fruit, chocolate, and nutty characteristics. The cool, steady climate of Speyside provides ideal conditions for slow, consistent maturation, allowing each cask to develop exceptional depth and character.

Selected Products from Aberlour

Aberlour 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This double-cask matured expression perfectly captures Aberlour’s signature style and serves as an excellent entry point into the distillery’s range. With notes of rich fruitcake, milk chocolate, cinnamon spice, and dried fruit, balanced by gentle vanilla and honey sweetness, it offers a harmonious, well-rounded experience that showcases the impact of both bourbon and sherry cask maturation.

Aberlour A’bunadh – An experience for connoisseurs

A legendary batch-produced, cask-strength expression matured exclusively in Oloroso sherry butts. A’bunadh (Gaelic for ‘the original’) is a powerful, intense whisky bottled without chill-filtration at its natural strength, typically between 59-61% ABV. Expect a velvety texture carrying waves of dark chocolate, ginger, dried fruits, and orange zest, with a profound sherry-influenced character throughout. Each batch varies slightly, offering collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the nuances of this exceptional whisky.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Aberlour offers some of the most immersive and educational tours in Speyside, ranging from standard distillery tours to specialized experiences. The ‘Aberlour Experience’ takes visitors through every step of the whisky-making process, concluding with a guided tasting of several expressions. For the true enthusiast, the ‘Founders Tour’ includes an in-depth exploration of the production facilities, warehouse visits, and an extended tasting session featuring some of Aberlour’s most coveted releases, including the opportunity to fill your own bottle directly from a cask.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aberlour?

Aberlour is a prestigious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery known for producing rich, sherried whiskies with exceptional depth and complexity. Their approach combines traditional Scottish distillation methods with a signature double-cask maturation process, creating expressions that balance fruity sweetness with subtle spice notes.

Where is Aberlour located?

Aberlour Distillery is located in the village of Aberlour in Speyside, Scotland. Situated at the confluence of the River Spey and Lour Burn, the distillery benefits from the pure spring water of St. Drostan’s Well and the region’s ideal whisky-maturing climate.

What characterizes Aberlour?

Aberlour is characterized by its rich, complex profile that typically features notes of sweet fruit, chocolate, and spice. The distillery’s signature double cask maturation in American oak and Oloroso sherry butts creates a distinctive depth and balance. Aberlour is also known for its cask-strength A’bunadh expression, which showcases the distillery’s affinity for exceptional sherry cask maturation.

Where can I buy whisky from Aberlour?

You can find selected bottles from Aberlour’s range at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate our selection to include both core expressions and limited editions, ensuring you have access to the finest examples of this exemplary Speyside distillery’s craft.