About this whisky

Aberfeldy's 21 Year Old is drawn from a small collection of casks aged for at least two decades at the Dewar family's Highland Perthshire distillery, founded in 1898. It is the second-oldest whisky in the core range, and Malt Master Stephanie Macleod builds it from sherry, bourbon, refill and spicy re-charred casks, each one adding its own layer, from dried fruit to vanilla and honey. The result keeps the distillery's honeyed signature but adds the depth and polish that only long maturation brings.

Expect creamy macadamia and beeswax on the palate, with orange, dried fruits, toasted coconut and smooth oak, then a last breath of smoke. Bottled at 40%, it is gentle enough to sip slowly, yet layered enough to reward real attention. This is a bottle for a milestone: a wedding gift, a fortieth birthday, a Bijoya visit to someone who appreciates aged Scotch, or an evening with friends who will notice what two decades in oak can do.

Key facts

• Drawn from a small collection of casks aged for 21 years and longer
• Built from sherry, bourbon, refill and re-charred casks
• The second-oldest whisky in Aberfeldy's core range
• Distillery founded in 1898 in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands

Tasting notes

Nose:

heather honey, orange peel and dried fruit

Palate:

creamy macadamia, beeswax, toasted coconut and silky oak

Finish:

long and gently spiced, with a trace of smoke

Serve

Neat, in a tulip or Glencairn glass. A few drops of water will open up the fruit and honey.

Food pairing

Lovely with dates and walnuts, or a slice of Park Street Christmas fruit cake.