Aberfeldy Unveils Limited Edition 24-Year-Old White Port Cask Finish Whisky

Highland distillery expands Exceptional Cask Series with unique expression linking Scottish craft to Portugal’s Douro Valley.

Aberfeldy Distillery, situated in Highland Perthshire, has introduced its latest exclusive release, the ABERFELDY 24-Year-Old White Port Double Cask Finish Single Malt Whisky. This new offering in the distillery’s esteemed Exceptional Cask Series draws a connection between Scotland’s traditional whisky-making heritage and the renowned fortified wine region of Portugal.

The Aberfeldy distillery, established in 1898 by John Dewar & Sons, is nestled in the foothills of the Central Highlands, known for producing the “Golden Dram” that forms the heart of Dewar’s blended Scotch. Its latest single malt release celebrates the craft of two distinct regions. White Port, a lesser-known fortified wine, originates from the Douro Valley in northern Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its terraced vineyards and hot, dry summers.

This limited-edition expression sees carefully selected White Port casks impart a distinctive character to Aberfeldy’s signature honeyed style. White Port is exclusively made from white grape varieties, with fermentation halted by the addition of grape spirit, leading to a wine typically between 17-20% ABV. The resulting whisky is described as bright and elegant, featuring notes of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed apricots, citrus blossom, and vanilla, encapsulating the vibrancy of summer while retaining Aberfeldy’s core identity.

Stephanie Macleod, Aberfeldy’s Malt Master and Master Blender for Dewar’s, commented on the strategic choice of casks. “The choice of White Port casks was a deliberate one. Port cask maturation is often known for bringing a lively character to whisky, but White Port offers something particularly fresh and vibrant. Rich in notes of citrus peel, stone fruits and delicate nuttiness, the casks complement rather than overpower ABERFELDY’s signature honeyed style, creating an expression that feels bright, elegant and perfectly suited to the season.”

Macleod, a multi-award-winning figure in the whisky industry, further explained the ambition behind the release: “With this release, we wanted to capture something unexpected: a whisky that retains the depth and refinement expected of a 24-Year-Old Single Malt while introducing a brighter, more expressive character through the White Port finish. It is a whisky that transports you, offering a taste of Portugal through the lens of ABERFELDY craftsmanship.”

The launch continues Aberfeldy’s ongoing exploration into wine cask finishing, a strategy that has seen previous releases incorporate influences from Tuscan red wine casks, known for robust dark fruit flavours, and Cadillac French wine casks, which impart brighter, fruit-led notes. This approach highlights the distillery’s philosophy of enhancing its renowned honeyed character through carefully selected wine cask maturation.

With only 252 bottles produced, the ABERFELDY 24-Year-Old White Port Double Cask is available exclusively from Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery and its online store, priced at £350. The limited availability underscores its status as a rare addition to the distillery’s esteemed collection. Visitors to the distillery can also experience drams at the Distillery Bar for £13 throughout the summer.