John Dewar unveils Aultmore single malts

John Dewar & Sons has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from Aultmore distillery, forming part of its ‘Last Great Malts’ of Scotland, with Aultmore 12-year-old, Aultmore 21-year-old (in travel retail only) and Aultmore 25-year-old in limited quantities.

The new range of this ethereal single malt, never released by the distillery before, launches from January 2015 and will be available initially in 10 markets.

Aultmore has been producing malt whisky since 1897, yet little is known about this obscure distillery. Often cloaked in thick fog and exuding an air of mystery, the sparsely populated land surrounding its site has always felt somewhat isolated. The distillery sits in the sweeping hills of Moray, just north of the town of Keith on the rolling road to Buckie.

It was built by Alexander Edward, close to curious terrain called the Foggie Moss. This enigmatic area, well known for illicit distillation in days gone by, is home to Aultmore’s water source. Damp, atmospheric conditions prevail here and the water, filtered through the gorse and heather that abounds, is crucial to the whisky’s light, clear character.

The Scotch itself is often dubbed the ‘Rarest of Speyside’, yet its taste has long been rated top-class by industry insiders and is much sought-after for its grassy notes and exceptional smoothness. Despite its rarity, for more than 100 years it’s known to have been a secret dram of locals and Buckie fishermen, savoured by those who knew to ask at nearby inns for ‘a nip of the Buckie Road’.

Stephen Marshall, single malts global marketing manager, says: “Aultmore is elusive, mysterious and one of the easiest drinking drams around; I think Scotch lovers are going to really enjoy this one”.

Aultmore, bottled at 46%abv, will be available from January with a 12-year-old, a 21-year-old in travel retail and a 25-year-old in limited quantities. It will be released initially in 10 markets around the world including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, the US and travel retail

The packaging

Inspired by the natural environment, the soft black imagery on the packaging, created by Stranger and Stranger design agency in London, evokes a sense of the location’s foggy nature and helps to create an air of mystery, adding to the mood. The use of uncoated paper gives an elegant look but with a naturally tactile feel, enhanced by the contrast of the slightly faded illustrations.

The Aultmore Distilling Co. logo has been branded into each of the wooden bottle closures throughout the age range, helping to emphasise the heritage and provenance associated with the brand. To accentuate pride in the secret past of the distillery, each bottle has been embossed with the statement: A Nip of the Buckie Rd.

About John Dewar & Sons

John Dewar & Sons employs 300 people at seven locations throughout Scotland. The company operates whisky distilleries in Aberfeldy, Macduff, Aultmore, Craigellachie and Nairn with ageing, blending, bottling and packaging facilities in Glasgow and additional maturation facilities in Poniel in Central Scotland. The single malt brand of Aultmore is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. 

8 January 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor