Aberfeldy 27-Year-Old Madeira Cask: Limited to 276 Bottles
Matured for Nearly 21 Years in Bourbon Casks Followed by 6 Years in Madeira: Exceptional Cask Series Adds High-Age Expression
Highland distillery Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery has announced a new addition to its prestigious Exceptional Cask Series, unveiling the Aberfeldy 27-Year-Old Madeira Double Cask Finish single malt Scotch whisky, with a strictly limited release of only 276 bottles.
This Aberfeldy single malt spent nearly 21 years aging in ex-bourbon casks before being transferred into Madeira casks for an additional 6 years of maturation. Madeira, a fortified wine from the eponymous Portuguese island, undergoes a deliberate heating and oxidation aging process. This imparts vibrant acidity, gentle sweetness, toasted nuts, caramel, and stewed fruit nuances, delivering exceptional depth and complexity to the whisky.
Official Tasting Notes & Finishing Philosophy
According to official tasting notes, the single malt presents a deep and rich aroma that thoroughly showcases the influence of Madeira casks. The palate is anchored by luscious honeyed red apples intertwined with delicate candied orange peel, concluding with sweet cinnamon and warming spices on the finish.
Stephanie Macleod, Director of Blending at Aberfeldy who oversaw the cask finishing process, noted that exceptional finishing should always be a natural continuation of a whisky's intrinsic character rather than an imposition. Madeira casks provide nutty sweetness and bright vitality that integrate seamlessly with the distillery's signature honeyed profile, though aging liquid of this caliber demands meticulous patience and monitoring across each individual cask.
Founded in 1898 in Perthshire, Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery draws its water from the Pitilie Burn, renowned for containing alluvial gold deposits. Through the Exceptional Cask Series, the distillery explores how unique casks can complement and elevate its house style. Notably, Stephanie Macleod has been named Master Blender of the Year multiple times at the International Whisky Competition.
📅 Publication Date: 2026-10-21
🔗 Source: The Whiskey Wash