Aberargie Expressions - Golden Promise Edition (48,2% - 700ml)

The Morrison family’s connection with Scotch whisky began in the early twentieth century and passed through Bowmore, Glen Garioch and Auchentoshan, until the group was sold to Suntory in 1994. The return to distillation came in 2016 with the laying of the foundation stone at Aberargie, on the family estate in Perthshire, and on 1 November 2017 with the filling of the first cask. After the Inaugural Release of March 2026, the distillery now opens a new limited series: Expressions.

The idea behind it is simple and, in some ways, counter-current. Usually, when discussing what gives a whisky its flavour, the conversation ends up focusing on casks and years of maturation. Here the starting point is the barley. The series isolates the two varieties grown on the estate — Golden Promise and Laureate — and bottles them separately, so that they can be compared for the first time. The Inaugural Release came from a mixed mash bill of 52% and 48%; these two editions are 100% each.

Golden Promise is the historic variety. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s it was the preferred choice of Scottish distillers Macallan, Glenrothes and Glenglassaugh, for example, made extensive use of it. It then fell out of favour because yields were low, both for farmers and maltsters. Aberargie grows it precisely for the reason it was once chosen: it produces a full, malty new make with an oiliness and depth that modern varieties cannot replicate.

The Aberargie Expressions Golden Promise Edition is a “barley-to-bottle” single malt Scotch whisky produced entirely on the Morrison estate in Perthshire, distilled from 100% Golden Promise barley grown on the family farm, matured 68% in first-fill ex-bourbon casks and 32% in first-fill ex-sherry casks, before being bottled at 48.2% vol. without chill filtration and at its natural colour.