The Last Great Malts: Aultmore

John Dewar & Sons Ltd., one of the most respected names in the world of Scotch whisky, finished the release a range of new Speyside expressions and never-before-released single malts – the hidden gems of the Bacardi stable. This bold move initiated by Stephen Marshall four years ago, unprecedented in recent years, will introduce a treasure trove of top-shelf whiskies.

Today they introduced the complete Aultmore range. The 12 years old was already released in the fall of 2014, now it is up to the travel retail whisky, a 21 years old and the top of the line, a 25 years old.

Taking its name from the Gaelic for ‘Big Burn’, Aultmore was built just outside Keith on the nine mile-long road to Buckie, in a remote region of Speyside. The distillery sits beside by the small rural village of Aultmore, with both often obscured from view, blanketed in thick fog from the mysterious Foggie Moss.

First produced in 1897, for more than a century this scarce Speyside classic has been distilled in handmade copper pot stills. To ensure the purest of flavours, the barley used holds no hint of peat smoke. Casks too are carefully picked, with only the finest grade selected for maturation.

The exceptionally smooth, clean and fruity taste of Aultmore can also be traced back to the moist, misty Foggie Moss with its network of natural springs. Here, the distillery’s secluded water source slowly wends its way through boggy terrain where bracken, gorse and heather filters and purifies the water, aiding the ‘refined character’ of Aultmore’s spirit.

Aultmore 12 official tasting notes

Born of fog, bog and brimming wee burns, a verdant nose of dewy moss and delicate flora, sweet liquid tracking a secluded path, gliding through green grass and fresh wild herbs.

Price: £41.95 at The Whisky Exchange

Aultmore 21 official tasting notes

Ethereal summer nights, gloaming air tinged with fruity olive oil and rosemary, then velvety sweetness with soft melon and cereal hues; a sleekit-smooth secret, shared at last.

Aultmore 25 official tasting notes

Reclined in damp shorn grass, vapours of lime and baked apples, each silken sip unveiling lush vanilla and buttery biscuits; dreich skies deserve a top-class dram.

Price: £296 at The Whisky Exchange

The complete Aultmore range will be bottled at 46% ABV without any additional colouring. This quality statement will apply to the almost all of the Last Great Malts: Craigellachie (already available), The Deveron/Macduff and Royal Brackla (mid 2015).

Source: The Last Great Malts