• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Baking
  • About Tammy

Scotch & Scones

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Scotch & Spirits
  • Subscribe
  • About Tammy
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Scotch & Spirits
    • Subscribe
    • About Tammy
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Highland Scotch

    Published Dec 14, 2018 · Updated Apr 16, 2022 · by Tammy Spencer · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium single malt scotch lineup

    Jump to Reviews

    Dewar & Sons' Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium single malt scotch lineup features a tasty array of expressions from the Highlands and Speyside. Definitely worth sipping!

    John Dewar & Sons Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium lineup in sample bottles on a wooden traythis …

    This blog is my labor of love.

    I love to taste whisky (thanks, Outlander!) and bake, and I’ve discovered that I love to share my experiences with you.

    This is how I pursue my passion for whisky and baking.

    My friend, Holly Seidenwand, decided to follow her passion for whisky back in 2016. She left her safe job in San Francisco to travel the world for a year learning all she could about the world of whisky, and documented her travels on her blog, Her Whisky Love.

    I met Holly when she became the Whisky Specialist at Gordon's DTX early in 2017, and she became a friend and mentor. Holly let me try my first scotch and snack pairings at her tasting panels, and she was always generous with her time and knowledge.

    Holly stole away from us here in Boston for a wonderful opportunity. She joined Bacardi as the US brand ambassador for the John Dewar & Sons Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium, a range of single malt scotch of Scotland. The lineup that Holly represents is incredible, and she once again was generous, providing me with samples for a tasting review. A

    a small scone
    Subscribe to Scotch & Scones!

    Sign up for my weekly featured recipe and you'll get two recipes, Extra-Tangy Sourdough Bread and Mint Chocolate Chunk Scones!

    nd boy, are they good!

    [Side note: To learn more about Holly and her passion for whisky, check out her interview with Mark Gillespie from September, 2018 on his WhiskyCast podcast, Ep 728, then hurry back!]

    Jump To: hide
    Let's talk whisky
    John Dewar & Sons Fine Single Malt Emporium tasting
    Aberfeldy 12yr
    Craigellachie 13yr
    Aultmore 12yr
    Royal Brackla 12yr
    Deveron 12yr
    Final thoughts
    Related Tasting Notes

    Let's talk whisky

    Here are a few factoids I found regarding the Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium lineup…

    • A Highland distillery, Aberfeldy whisky lies at the heart of the Dewar’s blended whisky
    • Craigellachie expressions, from Speyside are known for their “meaty” character as well as their spicy sweetness
    • This is the first release of an Aultmore bottling in some time
    • The Highland’s Royal Brackla distillery was the first Scottish distillery to receive “royal” status in 1833; most of their production goes into making Dewer’s blends
    • Deveron is made at the Macduff distillery in the Highlands

    Holly also provided me a couple of tidbits about her new portfolio…

    • Every whisky in the portfolio is aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks.
    • Craigellachie tastes so robust because of two reasons: they burn oil under their maltings (the last distillery in Scotland to do this) and they still use worm tubs for condensing from a vapor back to a liquid. A few other distilleries that still use worm tubs are Springbank and Knockdhu

    Enough of the facts…let’s get to the tasting!

    John Dewar & Sons Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium lineup in bottles behind empty glasses on a table.
    John Dewar & Sons Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium lineup (photo credit: ChilledMagazine.com)

    John Dewar & Sons Fine Single Malt Emporium tasting

    From Holly Seidenwand, Brand Ambassador for John Dewar & Sons, December 8, 2018

    Aberfeldy 12yr

    40%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: light nose, brown sugar, hay, very light orange
    • Taste: medium body, oranges, milk chocolate, white pepper hits, cinnamon red hots, cardamom
    • Finish: lingers on cinnamon, cardamom, tangy citrus
    • Comments: really interesting…orange flavored chocolate notes create an intriguing flavor profile

    Craigellachie 13yr

    46%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: light honey, cut grass, peppermint, lemon peel
    • Taste: light body, hay, ginger, mint, hint of cloves and black pepper
    • Finish: fades to butterscotch mixed with mint
    • Comments: drinks like a spice cake…all sweetness and spiciness

    Aultmore 12yr

    46%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: savory, doughnuts, churros
    • Taste: herbal, pine, rock candy and white pepper
    • Finish: fades to notes of basil and honey with touches of mint
    • Comments: so many interesting flavors…sweet yet savory; a bit of water emphasizes the green qualities
    Aberfeldy, Craighellachie, Aultmore in sample bottles beside poured glasses on a wooden tray.

    Royal Brackla 12yr

    40%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: clover, mango, rum cake, nutmeg, gingerbread
    • Taste: medium body, chewy, brown buttercream, nutmeg, rum cake, gingerbread
    • Finish: lingers on brown butter and ginger
    • Comments: lots of dark, sweet notes here…has a lot of character

    Deveron 12yr

    40%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: toasted wheat, ginger, hint of caramel candy, very light basil
    • Taste: light body, honey and herbs, cinnamon rises
    • Finish: lingers on peppermint candy and eucalyptus
    • Comments: A definite herbal quality balanced by brown sugar sweetness
    Royal Brackla & Deveron in sample bottles beside poured glasses on a wooden tray.

    Final thoughts

    These scotch drams are not your run-of-the-mill flavors…layered and textured, they all have lots of flavors to explore.

    Thanks so much to Holly for sending me her lineup to review, and for all the help she’s given me. Even though we in Boston miss her at our Whisky Wednesdays, I know my entire WW crew wishes her all the best as she continues to pursue her passion for whisky.

    Hopefully she’ll come back to Boston soon for a tasting…I’m sure everyone will be happy to see her, and happy to taste the fine scotches she’ll bring!

    Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!

    Tammy

    Related Tasting Notes

    Scotland's whisky regions have such a rich and diverse array of flavor profiles and distinct characteristics from which to choose. Here's where you can find a scotch I've reviewed from Speyside. Slainté!

    • Speyside Scotch

    More Highland Scotch Tasting Notes

    • Collage of Glenmorangie Allta, Ardbeg Drum in bottles on a counter.
      Glenmorangie Allta & Ardbeg Drum review
    • Clan Fraser Reserve blended scotch bottle with poured glass next to it.
      Clan Fraser Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky review
    • AnCnoc lineup in bottles on a counter.
      AnCnoc Highland Single Malt review
    • Compass Box Blended Scotch partial lineup in bottles on a counter.
      Compass Box Whiskymaker's Blended Scotch Lineup

    Reader Interactions

    Let's Talk Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Profile picture - Tammy, July 2019 square

    Hi, I'm Tammy! My fascination with baking comes from my love of science and the magic of bringing together ingredients to produce something yummy. Coupling that with my appreciation of scotches and bourbons, I love to bake stuff, jot down my whisky tasting notes, and share my experiences with you!

    More about Tammy →

    Bright Flavors to Usher in Spring

    • Lemon shortbread piled on a pink cake stand with lemons on a towel.
      Glazed Lemon Shortbread Cookies
    • Lifting slice of Lemon Curd Marbled Cheesecake slice from cheesecake on white cake stand & lemons in background.
      Lemon Curd Marbled Cheesecake
    • Mint Lemon Lime Bars stacked on blue plate.
      Easy Lemon Lime Bars with Mint
    • Glazed Limoncello Cake as a loaf.
      Easy Glazed Limoncello Cake
    • Lemon tartlets stacked on a white plate atop a green background.
      Two-Bite Mini Lemon Tartlets
    • Stack of Double Chocolate Mint Cookies with the top one bitten on a white plate with mint and chocolate wafers.
      Double Chocolate Mint Cookies (Soft & Chewy)
    • Lemon Sherbet scooped in blue bowl on green towel with strawberries & lemons.
      Lemon Sherbet
    • Homemade limoncello in a bottle and glass on a black table.
      Easy Homemade Limoncello Liqueur

    What's Popular with Readers

    Here's what my readers are viewing...

    • Chocolate mug cake with inserted spoon.
      Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake (Eggless & Dairy-Free)
    • Three Sourdough English Muffins stacked with more in wooden bowl behind.
      Sourdough Discard English Muffins
    • Bannocks stacked on a white plate with raspberries.
      How to Make Scottish Bannocks from Outlander
    • Assorted sourdough bagels on a white towel in a basket.
      The Best Homemade Sourdough Bagels
    • Scottish shortbread on white china plate with teacup.
      Traditional Scottish Shortbread Cookies
    • Raspberry Hamantaschen cookies stacked on a white plate with green trim on a green background.
      Hamantaschen Cookies Step-By-Step
    • Three ramekins of Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse on a glass cake stand with spoons and 1 in front.
      Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse (No Coconut Oil)
    • Two finished pretzels on a white plate in front of rolls on a red scarf in a ceramic basket.
      The Best Homemade Sourdough Pretzels

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Disclosures

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Ingredient Measurement Unit Policy

    Subscribe

    Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Let's Talk
    • About Tammy
    • Shop Scotch & Scones

    Copyright © 2023 Scotch & Scones