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Aultmore is a traditional Scottish distillery from the Speyside region, located near the town of Keith in Banffshire. Its name comes from Gaelic An t-Allt Mòr, meaning "great stream" – a reference to the stream Auchinderran Burn, which still serves as a key source of pure water for producing whisky.

History of Aultmore Distillery

The distillery was founded by Alexander Edward between 1895 – 1896 as his first distilling building built from the ground up. Production officially began on May 24, 1897, and within the first year, capacity was doubled, reflecting high demand for the distillate. However, Aultmore also had to cope with challenging periods – economic crises, the aftermath of the Pattison Crash, and production interruptions during World War I.

In 1923, the distillery was purchased by John Dewar & Sons and later became part of the Distillers Company Ltd. Since 1998, Aultmore has been under the wings of the Bacardi group through the Dewar’s brand, which is its current owner.

Production and Character of Aultmore Whisky

Aultmore employs traditional production methods typical of Speyside. It has four stills (two wash stills and two spirit stills), and fermentation takes place in wooden washbacks, contributing to subtle herbal and woody nuances in the flavor. Relatively long fermentation and higher reflux during distillation lead to a cleaner and more complex distillate.

The flavor profile of Aultmore whisky is typically fresh, clean, and elegant. It features notes of delicate fruit, flowers, herbs, and wood, with a subtle sweetness and spicy background. It is a non-peat Speyside whisky that emphasizes balance and a pure structure rather than smoky intensity.

Aultmore in Blended and Single Malt Whiskies

For decades, most of Aultmore's production was intended as blending malt, primarily for well-known blends like Dewar’s and other premium blended whiskies. Official single malt bottlings began to appear more prominently only in recent years – the first official 12-year edition was released in 2004, later complemented by older age editions.

Today, Aultmore is sought after by connoisseurs who appreciate the pure Speyside style, craftsmanship, and whisky with a delicate yet distinctive expression. It is an ideal choice for those seeking an elegant single malt whisky without peat, focusing on natural flavor and the quality of the distillate.