A Legacy of TRADITION AND INNOVATION

By Michael Tulipan

Already producers of the world’s most awarded blended scotch, Dewar’s has taken the category to the next level with the debut of its 12-Year-Old whisky aged in American oak bourbon barrels. This unique aging process brings uncommon depth and smoothness to Dewar’s signature blend, adding complexity to your favorite whisky cocktails and making for an incredible sipping option.

Did you know that all Dewar’s whiskies share one thing in common? For the past 125 years, they have all been double-aged. This maturation process is unique to Dewar’s, having been perfected by the company’s first Master Blender, AJ Cameron, in 1897. The newly reimagined 12-Year-Old blend builds on this tradition of two-stage aging, the first age up to 40 rare grains and malts separately, and the second, all blended and then aged in first fill American bourbon casks.

The relaunch of the 12-Year-Old blend continues a legacy of tradition and innovation stretching into a third century. Today, the name Dewar’s has become synonymous with blended scotch with its whiskies on backbars around the world, but the company has its roots as a humble wine and spirits shop in Perth, Scotland. Founder John Dewar first saw the opportunity to make his whisky blend, but it was his pioneering sons, John Alexander and Tommy, who built the company into the one we recognize today. Tommy famously lived the life of a bon vivant, while John Alexander used his business acumen to develop the Dewar’s brand first in Scotland and then worldwide. Over several decades, the pair drove a remarkable business expansion, including building a distillery on the outskirts of the village of Aberfeldy near the pristine water source The Pitilie Burn. The distillery also honors their father’s legacy, standing just three miles from where he was born.

Taking up the mantle of Dewar’s heritage for the past thirteen years has been Master Blender Stephanie Macleod. Recently awarded “Master Blender of the Year” for the fourth time by the International Whisky Competition, Macleod created this reimagined Dewar’s blend to bring blended scotch whisky to a new generation looking for a more complex spirit. Working from Dewar’s signature house style, rich in florals and honey with just a hint of smoke, the addition of ex-bourbon casks allows for a richer mouthfeel and notes of vanilla, dried apricot, and more.

“Having been experimenting with the influence of cask types on flavor and texture for the last ten years,” Macleod says, “we knew the time was right to bring some of what we have learnt to our core range of whiskies.” Elevating an industry leader is no small task, and Macleod turned to the use of American oak first fill bourbon casks to bring her desired complexity and layers of fruit, spice, and floral notes.

Brian Cox, Vice President, Dewar’s Scotch Whisky North America, says of the new blend, “The beauty of our Scotch whisky is the ability to bring the breadth of flavor, as well as the depth of flavor, from the variety of single malts and grains that we use to make it.”

Continual innovation in the whisky segment means knowledgeable consumers increasingly have more sophisticated and aged options to enjoy, and everyone is competing to introduce newcomers to the category. “Reimagining and relaunching this whisky has always been about one thing: delighting whisk(e)y drinkers,” Cox says. “Whether you are a connoisseur looking to discover something new or are just seeking to share and enjoy with friends and family, we are certain that everyone will find something to savor and relish.”

To accompany the blend’s relaunch, Dewar’s has reimagined the bottle and labeling. The whisky is presented in a new, premium clear glass bottle with a modified base, branding, and enclosure. The label emphasizes the double aging process and offers tasting notes that make the whisky more accessible. Overall, the streamlined look serves to modernize a heritage brand while remaining true to authenticity. The signature of Master Distiller Stephanie Macleod adds a nice, personalized touch.

The company takes great pride in its status as the “most awarded blend Scotch whisky,” having amassed more than a thousand awards over its storied existence. And true to form, shortly after release, Whisky Advocate named Dewar’s 12-Year-Old as the #1 Scotch Whisky of the Year with a score of 94 points, calling the blend “captivatingly delicious and texturally silken.” Writer Johnny McCormick wrote, “Without changing a beat of the blend’s 40 malts and grains, Macleod’s methods prove her mastery of the craft yet again.”

Dewar’s recommends serving the blend neat or over a single rock so guests can discover the complexity and layers of flavor the bourbon barrels impart. Then try it as the base for any favorite whisky cocktail, from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan to the iconic Highball, a drink whose creation has been attributed to Tommy Dewar, who was out on the town in New York with friends in 1892 when he ordered a whisky with soda and ice in a tall glass.

With the successful relaunch of its 12-Year-Old blend, Dewar’s has again proven to be the indisputable category leader. Dewar’s is poised to corner the market on the whisky drinker of the future while offering great value and flexibility to bartenders worldwide.

Recipes

THE NEWLY REIMAGINED DEWAR’S 12-YEAR-OLD IS FINISHED IN FIRST-FILL BOURBON CASKS GIVING IT A SMOOTH, RICH BALANCE. CHECK OUT WHAT SOME OF THE TOP MIXOLOGISTS ARE MIXING WITH THIS AWARD-WINNING SCOTCH.

Photos courtesy of Dewar's

Sweater Weather

Created by Jeffrey Morgenthaler

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 parts Dewar’s 12-Year-Old Scotch Whisky

1 1/2 parts fresh apple juice

1/2 part Amaro

1 tsp Allspice dram

PREPARATION

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into an OldFashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist.