Description

Aultmore Foggie Moss Aged 18 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Volume: 750ml           ABV: 46%           Age: 18 Years Old        Country: Scotland

The Whisky

Experience one of Speyside’s best kept secrets with the Aultmore 18 Year Old “Foggie Moss”. Part of Dewar’s “Last Great Malts” collection, this 750ml bottling (rarely seen alongside the standard 700ml) is a masterclass in elegance and restraint. While many 18 year old whiskies are dominated by heavy wood, this expression focuses on the purity of the distillate, matured in a delicate combination of ex-Bourbon and refill Sherry casks.

Presented at 46% ABV, this single malt is non-chill filtered and natural in colour. The name “Foggie Moss” refers to the wild, heather strewn site where the distillery draws its unusually soft water. Historically, Aultmore was almost entirely reserved for high end blends like Dewar’s, but this age stated release allows the “Top Class” malt to stand on its own, offering a clean, ethereal profile that has earned it 94.5 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Bright, crisp, and remarkably fresh. You are greeted by the scent of dewy grass and fresh hay, quickly followed by a lush basket of green apples, ripe pears, and a hint of grapefruit. As it breathes, the refill casks reveal a sophisticated sweetness of honeyed cereal, vanilla fudge, and a faint floral note of lemon blossom.

Palate: The arrival is soft and oily, with a “fatty” richness that coats the tongue. It delivers a vibrant burst of orchard fruits and lemon drops, which transitions into a mid-palate of creamy vanilla custard and almond shortbread. The subtle sherry influence adds a dry, nutty depth—think walnuts and a touch of dusty cocoa—while maintaining a bright, herbaceous backbone.

Finish: Medium to long and incredibly clean. The finish lingers with malted barley and citrus zest, finally tapering off with a final, warming flourish of white pepper and a whisper of herbal spice.

The Distillery

Aultmore, located in the “Foggie Moss” area of Speyside near Keith, was founded in 1897 by Alexander Edward. A unique factual detail: The distillery is famously known as the “Nip of the Buckie Road,” a nod to the local sailors and smugglers who prized its spirit for its smoothness. The distillery’s water source, the Auchinderran burn, filters through thick layers of bracken and gorse, which is said to strip away impurities and contribute to the “essential” and “raw” purity of the spirit. This 18-year-old is a testament to that heritage, offering a complexity that comes from time rather than aggressive cask influence.

Overall Review

The Aultmore 18 Year Old Foggie Moss is globally reviewed as a “connoisseur’s Speyside,” praised for its honesty and balance. Critics have lauded its “unfussy and elegant profile,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for those who want an older age-statement whisky that hasn’t lost its vibrant, grassy soul to the wood.