Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery – Whisky Explorer Tour
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Aberfeldy Distillery
If you're looking for a whisky experience that goes beyond the usual distillery tour, the Whisky Explorer Tour at Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery is well worth putting on your list. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful Aberfeldy distillery and joining the experience, hosted by the brilliant and hugely knowledgeable tour guide Michelle. Designed with whisky enthusiasts in mind, the Whisky Explorer Tour offers a fascinating journey through the heritage, craftsmanship and innovation behind both Dewar's blended Scotch whisky and Aberfeldy's single malt.
The experience begins in the Dewar's Museum, where we were welcomed with a dram of Dewar's Double Agent. Michelle brought the story of the Dewar's family and its whisky to life, including the brand's pioneering approach to advertising and marketing. It's a great introduction to the history behind one of Scotland's best-known whisky names before heading into the working distillery.
The guided distillery tour takes you through the whisky-making process from start to finish, with plenty of opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working distillery. The still room is particularly impressive – I could happily have stayed there all day – and it's impossible not to appreciate the care and craftsmanship that goes into making Aberfeldy's distinctive Highland spirit. And, as someone who has yet to taste an Aberfeldy I didn't enjoy, I was particularly looking forward to the tasting.
Tasting Room
The experience culminates in the beautiful tasting room, where we settled in for a sensory tasting of five exceptional whiskies. The selection can vary, but our line-up was a real treat. We began with the Aberfeldy 15 Year Old Cadillac White Wine Finish, a beautifully approachable whisky with notes of peach, toffee and delicate floral character. A lovely way to ease into what was to become a very impressive tasting.
Next came Dewar's Double Double 27 Year Old, part of Dewar's innovative Double Double range. Matured using a combination of cask types, including Islay and sherry influences, it delivered rich notes of coconut, sandalwood and vanilla. The Aberfeldy 26 Year Old Exceptional Cask, matured in Oloroso sherry casks, was an outstanding dram. Rich fruit and vanilla were complemented by a warming touch of spice, showcasing just how beautifully Aberfeldy's spirit develops with extended maturation.
The tasting then moved beyond Aberfeldy to Royal Brackla 20 Year Old Exceptional Cask. This beautifully balanced whisky brought together notes of apricot, orange and coffee, offering another fascinating contrast within the line-up. And then came the finale - the Aberfeldy 40 Year Old Cask 5030 was, without question, the dram that stole the show. Often described as 'sunshine in a glass', I can confirm that it certainly brightened my day. Rich, complex and incredibly memorable, it was a fitting end to an exceptional tasting.
A single dram of the Aberfeldy 40 Year Old can cost around £100, while the Whisky Explorer Tour was priced at £65 when I visited in August 2026. That makes the experience, in my opinion, outstanding value for anyone who wants to taste some genuinely special whiskies alongside a proper behind-the-scenes distillery experience. And there's more. I was also treated to lunch in the distillery café, where I enjoyed one of the best coronation chicken sandwiches I've ever tasted - a welcome addition to an already excellent day!
The distillery is also within easy walking distance of Aberfeldy Caravan Park, making this a particularly convenient option if you're staying locally and looking for a full day out.
Museum
Running once daily at 1pm, the Whisky Explorer Tour is aimed firmly at those who want to delve deeper into whisky rather than simply have a quick introduction. Advance booking is highly recommended, and it's worth checking the current dram selection when booking as the whiskies can change. For whisky enthusiasts, this is an experience that's difficult to fault. From the fascinating Dewar's Museum and working distillery to Michelle's excellent storytelling and a tasting that finishes with a 40-year-old Aberfeldy, the Whisky Explorer Tour offers an exceptional insight into the heritage and craftsmanship behind some remarkable Scotch whiskies.
If you're planning a whisky trip through Perthshire, I'd highly recommend making time for Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery. And if you're looking for something a little more special than a standard tour, the Whisky Explorer Tour is well worth the upgrade. I would also like to extend my thanks to Donna Webb for organising my visit, buying lunch and looking after me.
Don't forget to listen to our podcast with Mike McGinty, Brand Home Ambassador for Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Mike shares the fascinating story behind Aberfeldy, the only distillery ever built by the legendary Dewar family.