Dewar’s Scotch Whisky has a rich history dating back to 1846 when John Dewar founded his whisky-blending business in Perth, Scotland. Initially a small-scale operation, the brand gained prominence under his sons, John Alexander Dewar and Tommy Dewar, who expanded the business significantly in the late 19th century.
In 1893 their efforts were rewarded with a royal warrant from Queen Victoria, and they went on to build their flagship Aberfeldy distillery in 1986, before launching their signature blended malt whisky in the following year: White Label.
Over a century later and Dewars is recognised as one of the world’s leading blended scotch whiskies, and a pioneer of the double aging method: building up their blend and then aging the mixing oak barrels again before bottling.
The 12 year old is one such blend, despite recently dropping the “double aged”, and stands as the first entrant to their “premium” range of “true scotch” and carries the moniker “The Ancestor”.
Whilst the exact constituents are kept a secret, you would imagine that the malt constituents come mainly from Aberfeldy and potentially also Craigellachie, Aultmore, Deveron, and Royal Brackla from within their Bacardi family plus a series of grain whiskies.
The final whisky is bottled at the standard 40% ABV, and currently available around £30 per 70cl bottle.
Nose
Fruit and malt start things off. Green apples, conference pears, honeyed fruit, and some sharp citrus (maybe even orange). There are gentle notes after the fruits of malted milk biscuits – maybe a pinch of smoke.
Taste
A very slick and oily texture delivers honeyed crumpets, barley sugars, and vanilla ice cream. Not too much fruit now but still very sweet (like orange squash), with a gentle spice like ginger and nutmeg.
Finish
A swift and sweet finale with cupcakes and icing sugar, and a touch of Horlicks maltiness.
Verdict
It’s all very gentle and easy going. You can see how they’ve developed a reputation for their “smooth” whiskies. The honey note plays throughout, there’s sugary sweetness, subtle maltiness, and there is very little alcohol burn at all.
A classic combo of grain and malt on display with the sweetness and light fruit notes of the grain whilst there is a malted milk note and orchard fruit flavours. I’m going to have revisit my bottle of Aberfeldy 12 from the cabinet here to see which of the notes I can detect as the malt components of this.
Ultimately, very soft, sweet, and inoffensive. After this sample I won’t be rushing to get a bottle for myself one but I wouldn’t turn one down. That said, it is rather moreish. I can see how this is a swift drinker. I reckon you could get through a lot. Could easily pick it as a the whisky part of a boilermaker.
M
Dram disclosure: This sample was received as a #WhiskySanta Brucey bonus from Master of Malt as part of a pre-Christmas purchase. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
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