Aberlour Unveils 21 & 25 Year Old Core Single Malts

Continuing Double Cask Maturation: Annual Small-Batch Releases of High-Age Expressions

Chivas Brothers' Speyside distillery, Aberlour, has announced the addition of 21-year-old and 25-year-old single malt whiskies to its regular core lineup. These mark the highest age statements in the distillery's core range since the launch of the 18 Year Old in 2008. The two new expressions will officially debut at Whisky Live Paris, held at the Grande Halle de la Villette in Paris from September 26 to 28, followed by annual small-batch regular releases rolling out gradually to global specialist retail markets.

Both ultra-aged Aberlour whiskies continue the distillery's signature double cask maturation process. The liquids are aged separately and fully in ex-Bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks before being harmoniously married together. Both bottlings are non-chill filtered and bottled with natural color, completely free of added caramel coloring.

Flavor Profiles and Specifications of the Core High-Age Range

Aberlour 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at 48% ABV, presenting aromas of cherries, baked apples, chocolate ganache, and crystallized ginger, followed by a palate layered with blood orange, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Aberlour 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled at a natural cask strength of 50.8% ABV, showcasing luscious notes of poached peaches in syrup, red liquorice, marzipan, and red plums, accompanied by subtle spicy touches of cardamom and fresh ginger.

Graeme Cruickshank, Master Distiller at Aberlour, stated that introducing the 21- and 25-year-old expressions represents a proud milestone for the entire distillery team. Having personally guided the 21 Year Old from grain to glass, he emphasized the immense time, patience, and precision required to craft whiskies of this age. Drawing an analogy to master chocolatiers, he noted that shaping such profiles demands rigorous sensory mastery and patience through more than two decades of oak cask stewardship, locking in flavor precisely when the cask's influence reaches its zenith.

Distillery Heritage and Aged Stock Strategy

Founded by James Fleming in 1879, Aberlour distillery has been part of France's Pernod Ricard group since its acquisition of Chivas Brothers in 2001. In recent years, the distillery has showcased its prestigious mature reserves, including a 53-year-old single malt, The Mouth of the Chattering Burn 1967, bottled for the Distillers One of One charity auction in September 2025, as well as an ultra-rare 50-year-old single malt limited to just 20 bottles worldwide released later that year.

📅 Release Date: 2026-09-24

🔗 Source: The Spirits Business