Aultmore 25-Year-Old Achieves Unprecedented Success at International Whisky Competition
Aultmore’s 25-year-old single malt has made history at the International Whisky Competition (IWC), securing more accolades then any other spirit in the competition’s 15-year history. This remarkable achievement highlights the growing recognition for Aultmore,a distillery frequently enough overshadowed by its sister brands under the John Dewar and Sons umbrella.While master blender Stephanie Macleod is widely celebrated for her work with Dewar’s, her expertise also extends to single malts from Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, and Royal Brackla. These whiskies generally enjoy broader availability than Aultmore. In the United States, the most commonly found Aultmore expression is a 12-year-old, characterized by its distinctively “dank and verdant” nose, typically retailing for over $60 per bottle.
The award-winning 25-year-old is part of Aultmore’s recently introduced Cask Finish Collection. This collection represents a departure from Aultmore’s traditional approach, which typically emphasizes the spirit and wood with minimal intervention. As Macleod explains, this new series showcases Aultmore in a different light, allowing the distillery’s inherent character to remain prominent.
to create this remarkable expression, Macleod and her team selected whisky that had matured for over two decades in refill hogsheads and barrels. This mature spirit was then transferred into first-fill sherry casks, imparting a lingering note of spiced honey. The result is a whisky with a substantial character that simultaneously exhibits a delicate, spring-like florality, making it exceptionally smooth at 46% ABV.
Despite its critical acclaim, acquiring a bottle of Aultmore 25-year-old presents a challenge. The 50cl decanter carries a suggested retail price of $500 and is currently available exclusively in global travel retail within the Asian-Pacific market. Those fortunate enough to travel through airports in this region may find an opportunity to purchase this rare whisky. Alternatively, aspiring whisky connoisseurs might consider applying to be a judge at next year’s International Whisky Competition, as judges appear to have privileged access to this highly sought-after spirit.
