Aberlour 18 Year Scotch 750ML

Aberlour 18 Year Scotch 750ML is an 18-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 43% ABV in a 750ml bottle. A Double Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2011 and 2012, this expression draws its layered character from maturation in both American oak ex-bourbon casks and Spanish oak oloroso sherry butts, finished with additional time in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43%  |  Origin: Speyside, Scotland  |  Age: 18 Years  |  Distillery: Aberlour

Production & Heritage

Aberlour Distillery sits at the confluence of the rivers Lour and Spey in the heart of Speyside, one of Scotland's most celebrated whisky-producing regions. The 18 Year is twice-distilled through copper pot stills using 100% Scottish malted barley, then matured across two distinct cask types — American oak casks previously used for bourbon and Spanish oak casks previously used for oloroso sherry. What distinguishes this expression within Aberlour's range is its full double sherry cask influence, with both oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry butts contributing deep fruit and spice complexity that goes well beyond the distillery's younger offerings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich and immediately layered, opening with toffee and butterscotch before giving way to ripe peach and bitter orange. There is a depth here that signals serious sherry cask influence without overwhelming the malt character.

Taste: The entry is soft and approachable — apricot and vanilla cream coat the palate first. At mid-palate, flavors of blackcurrant jam and red fruits emerge alongside old leather and rich tobacco. Sweet oak and honey develop toward the peak, holding the fruit and spice in a careful balance.

Finish: Exceptionally long and measured, transitioning from crème brûlée sweetness into a gentle oak flourish. The complexity lingers, with sherry-soaked dried fruit fading slowly alongside traces of baking spice.

How to Drink Aberlour 18

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal serve — water opens the nose considerably, releasing more of the stone fruit and butterscotch layers. At 43% ABV it sits comfortably without needing much dilution, though a single ice cube works for those who prefer a cooler sip. For cocktails, the sherry cask richness makes it a strong candidate for a Rob Roy, where the dried fruit and oak complement sweet vermouth naturally. It also anchors a Blood and Sand beautifully, its blackcurrant and orange notes meshing with cherry liqueur and blood orange juice. A simple Scotch Old Fashioned with demerara syrup and orange bitters lets the crème brûlée and toffee character take center stage.

Best For

• Gifting a whisky enthusiast who appreciates sherry cask maturation
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or a cheese course
• Marking a milestone occasion such as an anniversary or retirement
• Building a Speyside tasting flight alongside younger and older expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Aberlour 18 taste like? Aberlour 18 leads with soft apricot, vanilla cream, and honey, then develops into richer notes of blackcurrant jam, leather, and tobacco. The finish is exceptionally long, moving from crème brûlée sweetness into gentle oak spice.

How does Aberlour 18 compare to GlenDronach 18 Allardice? Both are 18-year-old Highland/Speyside single malts matured heavily in oloroso sherry casks, making them natural rivals. GlenDronach 18 Allardice is bottled at a higher 46% ABV and tends toward darker dried fruit and more intense sherry influence, while Aberlour 18 balances its sherry character with lighter stone fruit and cream notes from its American oak ex-bourbon cask component.

Is Aberlour 18 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 43% ABV it is exceptionally approachable neat and reveals its full complexity without requiring dilution, though a few drops of water can further open the butterscotch and peach aromas.

Where is Aberlour 18 made? Aberlour 18 is produced at the Aberlour Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, located where the River Lour meets the River Spey. Speyside is home to more malt whisky distilleries than any other region in Scotland.

What foods pair well with Aberlour 18? Dark chocolate truffles bring out the crème brûlée and toffee character. Aged Comté or Manchego cheese highlights the oak and dried fruit. Roasted duck with a cherry reduction complements the blackcurrant and leather notes. Crème brûlée itself mirrors the finish remarkably well. Dried figs and walnuts echo the sherry cask sweetness.

What sizes does Aberlour 18 come in? The standard widely available size is the 750ml bottle, which is the most common format for the U.S. market.

Is Aberlour 18 worth the price? Aberlour 18 positions as a premium single malt within the upper-mid tier of the Speyside category. For an 18-year-old fully matured in quality sherry and bourbon casks with multiple awards to its name — including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — it represents strong value relative to similarly aged competitors.

Why Aberlour 18?

The double cask maturation program — combining American oak ex-bourbon with Spanish oak oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry butts — is the defining feature of this expression. That layered approach earned it Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in consecutive years (2011 and 2012), Gold medals at both the International Spirits Challenge and International Wine & Spirit Competition, and 91 points from Whisky Advocate. Among 18-year-old Speyside single malts, few achieve this breadth of sherry cask complexity while retaining the lighter, fruit-driven elegance that comes from ex-bourbon maturation. It is an expression that rewards patience at every stage — from the first nosing through a finish that seems reluctant to end.