For international shipment please write us info@whiskyitaly.it
Straddling the border between the Lowlands and the Highlands, Aberargie marks the return to distilling of the Morrison family, one of the best-known names in the world of Scotch whisky. Opened in 2017, this Lowland distillery was born from a project built around supply-chain control and operates on a "barley to glass" principle, using barley grown on the family's own estates and a production approach designed to obtain a rich, full-bodied spirit.
The project took shape at the beginning of 2014, when approval was granted for the construction of a blending and bottling hall at the Aberargie farm, in Perthshire, intended to support the development of the family's principal brands, including Càrn Mòr, Mac-Talla and Old Perth. The estate, owned by the Morrisons and until then dedicated to growing barley for maltsters, thus became the operational heart of the new project. In parallel, authorisation was also granted for the construction of an adjacent but structurally separate distillery.
In June 2016 the foundation stone was laid and, after preliminary distillation trials, the first cask was filled on 1 November 2017.
All the main production stages are managed on site. The barley is grown on the family-owned farm, which extends over roughly 300 acres, and comes exclusively from two varieties: Laureate and Golden Promise. Laureate is a modern, versatile variety, capable of delivering high yields in the field and producing a clean, lively, fruity spirit. Golden Promise, on the other hand, is a historic variety, less productive both in the field and in distillation, but prized for its significant organoleptic contribution. This variety indeed gives rise to a more structured, malty new make, characterised by greater oiliness and aromatic depth.
For its own single malt expressions, Aberargie uses exclusively unpeated malt. The distillery has, however, also carried out some productions with peating levels above 40 ppm, destined exclusively (for now) for third-party clients or for the production of the blended whiskies in the Morrison range.
Malting is the only activity outsourced and is carried out by the English maltings Simpsons Malt. Aberargie requires its own barley to remain separate at every stage of the malting process, with full traceability guaranteed by vintage and variety.
Mashing takes place in a 2-tonne semi-lauter mash tun, while fermentation is carried out in nine stainless steel washbacks. Its duration varies according to the production schedule: the shortest fermentations are around 80 hours, while the longest can reach 144 hours, helping to develop a fruity spirit, rich in esters and with good structure.
Distillation is carried out separately for the two barley varieties, through a pair of stills made by Forsyths in Speyside: a 15,000-litre wash still and a 10,000-litre spirit still. Both have a rather squat shape and lyne arms angled slightly downwards, a configuration that reduces reflux and favours a richer, more structured spirit. Heating is provided by panels, rather than by internal coils or direct steam, a solution that allows a more uniform and precise distribution of heat.
The distillery also adopts a particularly wide cut, more common in the production of peated spirits, which begins at 74% vol. and ends at 60.5% vol. This choice favours a spirit of greater consistency, especially in the component obtained from Golden Promise, helping to define its rich, viscous and slightly oily texture. The plant's production capacity can reach around 750,000 litres of pure alcohol per year.
Every single drop of Aberargie Single Malt matures on site at Netherton Farm. The two large racked warehouses, adjacent to the still house, also hold the maturing casks of the other Morrison family brands. Maturation focuses predominantly on first-fill ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The sherry casks are imported directly from the José y Miguel Martínez bodega and comprise a combination of American and European oak, previously used for Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez. The ex-bourbon casks, on the other hand, come directly from various American distilleries.
In March 2026 the distillery's first bottling, Aberargie Inaugural Release, was launched. Distilled in 2017, it is composed of 52% Golden Promise and 48% Laureate. The whisky matured in a 50:50 proportion in first-fill ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, then bottled at 48.2% vol., with no chill filtration and no added colouring.
Did you know? The Morrison family's connection with Scotch whisky dates back to the early twentieth century, when Stanley P. Morrison started a brokerage business in the sector in Glasgow. In 1963 the family entered production directly by acquiring Bowmore, followed by Glen Garioch in 1970 and Auchentoshan in 1984, before the sale to Suntory in 1994.
In 2005 Brian and Jamie Morrison returned to the sector by taking a stake in the Scottish Liqueur Centre in Bankfoot, which later became Morrison & Mackay. Through the Càrn Mòr, Mac-Talla and Old Perth ranges, the company established itself in the selection, blending and bottling of Scotch whisky. Aberargie thus represents the Morrison family's direct return to distilling after more than thirty years.
en
WI IT