Aberlour 12 yo (2012), Signatory – Small Batch (Oloroso), 48.2%

Introduction

This Aberlour 12-year-old represents the perfect marriage between Speyside’s traditional distillation methods and Signatory Vintage’s exceptional cask selection expertise, creating a distinctive expression that stands apart from standard distillery bottlings.

Production Method

• Raw materials: Premium Scottish malted barley sourced for Aberlour Distillery, combined with the pristine waters from the nearby springs of Ben Rinnes mountain
• Distillation process: Double distilled in Aberlour’s traditional copper pot stills that help create their characteristically rich and fruity spirit
• Maturation: Carefully matured for a full 12 years exclusively in hand-selected Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, Spain
• Special techniques: Small Batch selection by Signatory, limiting each release to a carefully curated set of complementary casks, bottled at higher strength without chill-filtration to preserve natural flavors

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich dried fruits, luscious dark chocolate, Christmas cake spices, subtle vanilla, and aromatic orange zest with hints of polished oak
• Palate: Velvety mouthfeel with layers of stewed fruits, black cherries, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, warming cinnamon, clove, and a whisper of coffee grounds
• Finish: Long and warming with lingering notes of dried fruit, chocolate, oak spices, and a gentle touch of sweet tobacco

Recommended Serving

• Serving temperature: Room temperature (16-18°C) to fully appreciate the complex aromas
• Glass recommendation: Tulip-shaped whisky glass or Glencairn to concentrate the rich bouquet
• Serving ideas: Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of spring water to open up additional aromatic complexity
• Food pairings: Dark chocolate desserts, dried fruit and nut selections, blue cheeses, or rich fruit cake

Product Specifications

• Alcohol content: 48.2% ABV
• Bottle size: 700ml
• Country/Region of origin: Scotland, Speyside
• Certifications/Awards: Selected by Signatory Vintage, one of Scotland’s most respected independent bottlers known for their discerning cask selection

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

This Aberlour 12 Year Old represents a rare deviation from standard distillery expressions, offering an opportunity to taste this renowned Speyside malt through the lens of Signatory’s expert cask selection.

As part of Signatory’s Small Batch series, only a limited number of bottles have been produced from select Oloroso sherry casks, making each release a fleeting opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Bottled at 48.2% ABV without chill-filtration, this expression upholds the highest standards of whisky craftsmanship recognized by connoisseurs worldwide.

Recognition from Connoisseurs

Signatory Vintage has built its reputation among whisky enthusiasts by consistently selecting exceptional casks from Scotland’s finest distilleries, earning the trust of collectors globally.

Once you add this bottle to your collection, you’ll join the discerning community of aficionados who appreciate independently bottled expressions that showcase alternative dimensions of well-known distilleries.

The combination of Aberlour’s distinctive distillery character with Oloroso sherry maturation creates a profile that has been celebrated by critics for its depth and complexity.

From Speyside to You

Each bottle of this special Aberlour represents not just a fine whisky, but the culmination of generations of Scottish whisky-making heritage made available to true enthusiasts.

The warmth and richness of this dram mirror the welcoming spirit of the Speyside region, where whisky is not just a drink but a centuries-old tradition shared with friends.

By choosing this Signatory bottling, you’re becoming part of a tradition that unites whisky lovers worldwide who seek authentic expressions that tell the true story of Scotland’s distilling art.