Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery announces reopening date - here's what to expect when visiting

Whisky fans will soon be able to visit the Dewar's Aberfeldy distillery, as it is set to reopen this month.

Published 13th Jul 2020
Updated 11 th Oct 2023

The Dewar's distillery in Aberfeldy will reopen to the public on Monday 20 July with adapted health and safety measures in place.

Whisky fans can once again enjoy tastings as well as guided tours, although these will now operating at a reduced capacity.

With the health and safety of staff and visitors the top priority, facilities including the gift-shop areas have been carefully adapted with the addition of Perspex screens at till points, reduced door touchpoints and hand sanitisation stations throughout.

Temperature checks will be conducted on arrival and facemasks will be provided and must be worn at all times when exploring the distillery to help promote the safety of both staff and visitors alike.

All visitors are asked to book in advance to avoid disappointment as tours and tastings are running at reduced capacity.

What to expect when visiting

In recent years, many of the traditional features of this historic building - built by the sons of Scottish businessman and Scotch whisky pioneer, John Dewar in 1896 - have been brought to life in new ways for whisky lovers to experience.

The original Malting House, for instance, has been transformed into the whisky lounge and bar, both of which will reopen exclusively to guests booked onto an experience.

New social distancing measures and zones allow visitors to relax and raise a dram with one of the Dewar's of Aberfeldy whiskies on offer.

Pre-bookable experiences guests can enjoy at Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery include:

Aberfeldy Tour - Join this distillery tour to discover how the beautifully balanced single malt at the heart of Dewar’s Scotch is made before trying a complimentary sample for yourself.

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Cask Tasting Tour - Sample a rare and exclusively aged Aberfeldy single cask malt whisky from the cask in the warehouse. You will also receive a complimentary glass to take home.

Whisky Connoisseur’s Tour - Take a guided tour of the distillery to discover how Aberfeldy Single Malt is created and finished with a tasting, of five its finest Scotch whiskies, in the whisky lounge.

The interactive heritage museum will also reopen with a reduced capacity. Visitors can access the experience via a dramatic ‘stave tunnel’ installation, made from oak casks and showcasing vintage memorabilia, signs and advertising campaigns – allowing guests to explore items from the archive and discover the story of the Dewar family.

The Distillery Shop also offers pre-booked guests a unique opportunity to ‘fill your own’ bottle from the cask – including the Aberfeldy 40-Year-Old - the distillery’s oldest expression yet.

Approximately 400 bottles are available and the hands-on experience makes for a wonderful gifting opportunity or a whisky collector's dream day.

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Those unable to make it to the Highlands can order a taste of what’s available direct to their home via the online shop.

Gifts include a Triple Tasting Pack of three remarkable Scotch whiskies from Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, complete with an invite to an exclusive virtual tastings with the Global Malts Ambassador, Georgie Bell.

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Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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