Dewar’s and the art of Double Aging:

A pioneering method of adding nuance and an added depth of flavour to a blended scotch, Dewar’s uses a signature method they refer to as Double Aging. The process involves taking the various Malt and Grain whiskies that make up the blend and maturing them further in oak barrels for an additional 6 months, allowing the blend to develop an additional layer of flavour smoothness to the dram before bottling. A beautiful liquid pioneered by Stephanie Macleod, the first woman to win the IWC Whisky of the Year award and 3-time consecutive winner of the Master Blender of the Year award, it’s no surprise it’s a must-have dram for any collection.

Dewar’s tasting notes:

Dewar’s 12:

Nose: Notes of toasted barley, rich honey and baked apples, with the slightest hint of trailing smoke and lightly roasted almonds

Taste: A striking flavour of caramel and smokey charred oak leads to rich spice notes of cinnamon and aniseed, giving way to the signature apple and honeyed sweetness.

Finish: Oak and very slight hints of some trail into sweet honey and toasted malt, with a pinch of black pepper, makes for an easy-drinking whisky with just enough bite to be mixed and still shine

Dewar’s 15:

Nose: Softer and more elegant than its 12-year-old counterpart, this features crisp clean apple flavours and honey with a signature sherry sweetness, a light woody spice and fresh white flowers

Taste: Roasted nuts and oaky spice develops into dried orange peels and honeyed vanilla sweetness, crisp apples and pear, eventually developing into the soft sweetness of dried sultanas.

Finish: Rich dried fruits and light notes of pepper help carry this soft yet elegant whisky with a slight hint of spice

Cocktails:

Classic Dewar’s Highball:

50ml Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky

100ml Soda Water

Garnish: Lemon Zest

Glass: Highball

Serve over ice in a tall glass, this classic drink pioneered by Tommy Dewar and forever solidified in Harry Johnson’s Bartender’s Manual, this simple but elegant serve is perfect for a crisp, cool drink on a hot summer day.

Dewar’s & Ginger

50ml Dewar’s 12 Blended Scotch Whisky

100ml Ginger Ale/Ginger Beer

1 Wedge of Fresh Lime

Glass: Highball

This sweeter, spicier version of the classic highball replaces the soda water with ginger ale or ginger beer with a squeeze of fresh lime juice makes for a new take on a classic cocktail

Dewar’s 15 Old Fashioned

50ml Dewar’s 15 Blended Scotch Whisky

1 tsp sugar (or 12ml of 1:1 Sugar Syrup)

2 Dashes Aromatic Bitters

Garnish: Orange Zest

Glass: Short Whisky Glass

This classic is a great staple for any whisky lover, simply mix your Dewar’s 15 Blended Scotch, a teaspoon of sugar and a couple of dashes of bitters until the sugar is dissolved, then add ice and stir until chilled before finishing it off with a spray of fresh orange zest for that pop of citrus. If you’re planning on making a few, swap the granulated sugar out for sugar syrup. To make your own, simply mix equal parts of water and sugar until dissolved and keep it in the fridge, a must-have for any Old Fashioned fan.

Dewar’s 15 Whisky Sours

50ml Dewar’s 15 Blended Scotch Whisky

25ml Sugar Syrup

25ml Lemon Juice

25ml Egg White/Aquafaba

2 Dashes Aromatic Bitters

Garnish: Lemon Zest

Glass: Short Whisky Glass