A Traditional Speyside Distillery…
Aberlour Distillery lies in the heart of Speyside, on the outskirts of the town that shares its name. Built in 1879 by James Fleming, the distillery is now part of Pernod Ricard’s Chivas Brothers portfolio along with the likes of Strathisla, and the world famous Glenlivet distillery.
Aberlour is a small, quaint distillery when compared to some of its gigantic neighbours. Indeed, as I approached the gates on a warm Sunday morning, the contrast between Aberlour and the new Macallan distillery that I visited 24 hours earlier could not have been greater. Tradition seeps from the walls, and gives the impression that little has changed since Fleming’s day. The founder himself lies buried in the cemetery across the road, no doubt keeping an eye on his creation even now.
For a very reasonable £15, visitors can tour the plant and taste six expressions of single malt, including a pair of 12-year-old offerings that aren’t available anywhere else. Commencing with details of the building’s origins as a sawmill, aided by visual displays, the tour then moves on to a walk-through of the production area, including a visit to the still house at the very heart of the operation. The experience culminates in the famous No. 1 warehouse, which rests behind one of the most photographed distillery doors in Scotland!
It was an informative and fun tour, ably led by our guide, Nicola, who clearly held a passion for the subject herself, something which can’t be said for every tour guide I’ve come across, sadly. Cruelly made to work on the Sunday morning following the annual Highland Games and the celebrations which followed, Nicola regaled with tales of her grandfather, once the mill-man at the distillery, and something of a character by all accounts. Then there were stories of her grandmother, whose Clootie Dumplings could contain anything from a glug to a full bottle of Aberlour, depending on how much she personally consumed during the making of the thing.
Such stories highlight the distillery’s place at the heart of the local community. Whisky is the lifeblood of this region of Scotland. Everyone in the area is touched by it in one way or another and an understanding of that fact is a great thing to take away from a distillery tour. It’s very easy to see whisky as a global product these days, but it’s important to remember the tiny, rural communities the distilleries support.
Aberlour is a charming distillery, attractive to look at and an intriguing learning experience as well. It really should be high on the bucket list of any connoisseur who turns their eye to Speyside.
Aberlour Casg Annamh Review
Casg Annamh is the latest release from Aberlour, positioned as something of a replacement for the recently ‘premiumised’ A’Bunadh. ‘Significantly influenced’ by Oloroso sherry casks, it is bottled at 48% and cost £55 a bottle.
Smell: Caramel and honey with vanilla and some dried fruits, orange peel and dark chocolate.
Taste: Juicy raisins, chocolate orange and winter spices. A touch of salted caramel and oak.
Thoughts: At £55, Casg Annamh won’t break the bank and there’s enough flavour and depth of character on offer to make it a worthwhile purchase. It’s almost impossible not to compare it to the A’Bunadh, however, which used to be similarly priced and it sadly isn’t in the same league. Yet while I can’t see it becoming anything like as popular as its predecessor, it is a pleasant enough wee dram in its own right. Worth a punt.
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