Aberfeldy Distillery, the heart of the Dewar’s brand, has been a key player in the Scotch whisky industry since its founding in the 1890s. The distillery was established by the Dewar family, who initially gained success as whisky blenders. John Dewar, born in humble circumstances, transitioned from a wine merchant in Perth to blending whisky in the mid-19th century. His sons, John Jr and Thomas (Tommy), took the family business global, making Dewar’s one of the most recognized whisky brands worldwide.
In the 1890s, the Dewar sons decided to move into whisky production and established Aberfeldy Distillery near the birthplace of their father. The site had a history of brewing and distillation dating back to the early 19th century. Aberfeldy was built on the Pitilie Burn, known for its gold panning history, and became the key malt used in Dewar’s blended whiskies. A private railway line connected the distillery to the company’s operational hub in Perth, improving its distribution capabilities.
Dewar’s became part of the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) in 1925, and in 1973, the Aberfeldy distillery’s capacity doubled. After DCL merged with Guinness to form Diageo, the Dewar’s estate was sold off in 1998 when the UK Monopolies Board forced Diageo to divest some of its brands. Bacardi-Martini acquired Dewar’s, including Aberfeldy, for £1.1 billion. The new owners invested heavily in the Dewar’s brand, building the Dewar’s World of Whisky visitor center to educate the public about the history of the Dewar family and blending.
In recent years, Aberfeldy has been marketed as a single malt, and in 2014, the distillery underwent a rebranding. A permanent range of five expressions was established, with the whisky gaining recognition for its rich, full-bodied flavor. The distillery’s flagship product is predominantly aged in ex-Bourbon casks, with occasional releases matured in Sherry casks that highlight its depth and complexity. The texture of Aberfeldy whisky is thick and slightly waxy, with a weighty mid-palate that supports long maturation. While it is primarily used in Dewar’s blends, Aberfeldy’s single malt bottlings showcase the robust character of the whisky, offering a bold, yet refined experience.
