North Star Spirits Aberfeldy 12 Year Old

Key Facts About This Single Malt Scotch Bottler: North Star Spirits Founder: Ian Croucher Distillery: Aberfeldy Region: Highlands, Scotland Age: 12 years old Distilled: February 2014 Bottled: March 2026 Cask Type: Bourbon barrel Alcohol by Volume: Cask strength, 52.8% Outturn: 291 bottles Bottled: Natural colour and without chill filtration Bottle Size: 700ml Aberfeldy 12 Year Old tasting notes Nose: Fresh, bright summer fruits and crisp apples. Palate: Citrus fruits with a touch of pepper and freshly baked bread. Finish: Pastry ‘yum-yums’ with a swig of double-shot latte. About this North Star whisky This Aberfeldy 12 Year Old from North Star Spirits, founded by Ian Croucher, is a bright and approachable Highland single malt that highlights the distillery’s naturally honeyed and fruit-forward style through classic bourbon cask maturation. Distilled in February 2014 and bottled in March 2026, this whisky matured in a bourbon barrel, allowing the spirit’s soft orchard fruit, gentle malt sweetness, and subtle spice to develop with clarity and balance. Aberfeldy’s spirit is often associated with a rounded, easy-going style, and here that character is presented in a fresher, more vibrant form at natural cask strength. The bourbon barrel contributes vanilla sweetness, creamy texture, and delicate oak spice without overpowering the whisky’s underlying elegance. The result is a dram that feels both lively and comforting, balancing freshness with richer pastry-like notes as it develops in the glass. On the nose, fresh summer fruits and crisp apples lead the way, bringing brightness and lift. The palate builds into citrus fruits, freshly baked bread, and a gentle peppery warmth that adds structure and depth. As the whisky evolves, sweeter and creamier notes emerge, carrying into a finish reminiscent of glazed pastries and a rich double-shot latte. The finish lingers with soft oak, sweet pastry richness, and warming spice, giving the whisky a satisfying balance between freshness and indulgence. Bottled at cask strength (52.8% ABV), with natural colour and without chill filtration, this is a whisky that delivers texture and flavour while remaining highly approachable. With an outturn of 291 bottles, it’s a limited release that showcases Aberfeldy in a particularly clean and expressive bourbon cask style. A vibrant and easy-drinking Highland malt full of orchard fruit, sweet malt, and gentle warmth, with plenty of charm and balance.