Crafted By Masters, Perfected By Time; Aberlour Unveils Its Oldest Permanent Expressions
Published Date: 24th September 2026
The Speyside distillery introduces its oldest permanent expressions to date with the new 21 and 25 Year Old, marking an historic milestone in Aberlour’s legacy of patient craftsmanship.
London - 24th September 2026 - Aberlour, the meticulously crafted Speyside single malt whisky, is elevating its permanent portfolio with the release of new 21 Year Old and 25 Year Old single malts. Built from Aberlour’s signature double cask maturation, these two, highly aged and single batch expressions are a sensory testament to the powerful union of time and craftmanship. The expressions will make their debut at Whisky Live Paris in September 2026.
For the Aberlour team of makers, time is the ultimate tool of their craft, one that requires daily vigilance and sensory precision to honour the decades of hands-on mastery captured within each cask. Under the expert guidance of Master Distiller Graeme Cruickshank, the new expressions have been drawn from decades-old casks, each one hand-selected for bottling at its absolute peak. Released annually in highly limited, small-batch runs, they represent a finite moment in the distillery’s 150-year legacy and an anticipated must-have for collectors, connoisseurs and seekers of rare craft.
A proud showcase of how age unlocks new heights of flavour complexity, the Aberlour 21 Year Old has been rested for over two decades in a combination of American oak and Sherry oak casks. This is the brand’s first annual permanent release, offered at an elevated ABV of 48%, this expression delivers a remarkably deep, complex character, shaped by the casks chosen for its journey. On the nose it reveals a luxurious bouquet of vibrant cherries, spiced baked apples, and rich toffee which leads to a palate of indulgent chocolate and warm ginger. The finish is a delicate, enduring whisper of spice.
The Aberlour 25 Year Old stands as the ultimate celebration of rarity and hands-on patience. Distinguished from the 21 Year Old by its ultra-limited scale, this remarkable single malt was crafted by marrying a small number of exceptionally rare, hand-selected casks; including a single first-fill Sherry hogshead. Bottled at cask strength and non-chill filtered to preserve its depth, this rare single malt offers an incredibly refined character, shaped by a small number of exceptionally rare, hand-selected casks. The result is an incredibly refined spirit, offering a sweet and fruit-forward nose. On the palate, a luxurious texture unfolds with indulgent notes of creamy vanilla balanced by the sophisticated warmth of spiced ginger and aromatic cardamom.
"The introduction of these 21 and 25 Year Old expressions is a proud milestone for everyone at the distillery,” says Graeme Cruickshank, Aberlour Master Distiller. "Having personally guided the 21 Year Old on its journey from grain to glass, I know first-hand the patience, precision and care required to bring a whisky of this age to life. It is the ultimate reflection of what happens when craft meets time.”
“In many ways, our journey mirrors that of a master chocolatier. Just as crafting exceptional chocolate requires meticulous roasting to unlock deep sensory profiles, bringing a whisky of this age to fruition demands absolute sensory precision and patience. By meticulously curating these casks over two decades, we’ve ensured we’ve captured the wood’s influence at its absolute peak, creating the pinnacle of our heritage and the very definition of Speyside luxury.”
Protected in elegantly crafted display boxes, the presentation mirrors the artistry of the single malt within, ensuring these rare expressions stand as the centrepiece in any collection.
Both expressions will be released from September 2026, and will be available at select retailers worldwide. To discover more about the craft of Aberlour, visit www.aberlour.com or follow the journey via @aberlour.
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