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Aultmore
An t-Allt Mòr — the big burn
Region
Speyside
Founded
1896
Owner
John Dewar and Sons (Bacardi)
Interested in holding an Ardmore cask in your portfolio?
The story
A blending workhorse, stepped into the light
Founded in 1896 by Alexander Edward in the misty boggy terrain of the Foggie Moss just north of Keith, Aultmore survived the infamous Pattison crash of 1898 and eventually found its long-term home with John Dewar and Sons in 1923. For decades it was operated almost entirely in secret, supplying core malts for global blends including Dewar’s and VAT 69. It wasn’t until 2014 that Bacardi officially stepped Aultmore out of the shadows, launching a dedicated premium single malt core range that finally allowed this exceptional spirit to shine on its own.
Character and Production
Delicate and grassy, with a surprising underlying weight
Aultmore produces a classically delicate, fresh, and grassy Speyside spirit with a remarkable underlying intensity. Crystal-clear wort and a relatively long fermentation of 56 to 60 hours in traditional Scottish larch washbacks encourages a vibrant, fruity wash. Distillation in four plain-shaped pot stills with downward-sloping lyne arms captures a heavier, more viscous spirit than the fresh floral aroma might suggest. The unpeated new-make, bursting with crisp green apple, citrus zest, wild herbs, and sweet pastry, is exceptionally versatile across cask types.
World Whiskies Awards — since the 2014 rebranding, expressions including the 18-year-old have won top accolades at the World Whiskies Awards, significantly accelerating Aultmore’s brand equity as a standalone single malt.
Flavour profile
First-fill ex-bourbon barrel
Vanilla
Coconut
Green apple
Citrus zest
Sweet pastry
Oloroso sherry cask
Rich dried fruits
Spice
Nuts
Wild herbs
Distillery Facts
Annual capacity
3.0 to 3.2 million litres
Malt specification
Unpeated
Mash tun
Stainless steel Steinecker full-lauter, 10-tonne
Stills
4 (2 wash and 2 spirit)
Condenser
Shell and tube
Heat source
Steam
Washbacks
6 wooden Scottish larch
Fermentation
56 to 60 hours
Water source
Auchinderran Burn, from the Foggie Moss
Investment Outlook
Performance and returns
For the vast majority of its history Aultmore’s output was fiercely protected by blenders, making official single malt releases practically non-existent outside limited Flora and Fauna or Rare Malts editions. Since Bacardi’s successful 2014 rebranding, Aultmore’s brand equity as a standalone single malt has skyrocketed.
Independent bottlers constantly seek out this spirit for its impeccable reputation among connoisseurs and its outstanding ability to age gracefully over decades.
A well-matured Aultmore aged 15 or more years in a quality sherry butt or bourbon barrel commands a premium on the independent market.
Historic pedigree, scarcity of older official stock, and rising global prestige combine to make this a highly strategic long-term cask hold.
Any Bottle retail figures mentioned on this page refer to independent bottlings, not cask valuations.
"A blender's darling turned single malt star. Born in the mists of the Foggie Moss, Aultmore's fresh, grassy, and surprisingly weighty spirit is a masterclass in Speyside distillation. With Bacardi heavily investing in its premium status and sustainable future, securing a cask of this historic malt offers investors a brilliant combination of rarity and rising global demand."
