Dewar's 12 Year, known historically as "The Ancestor," is the entry to the premium tier of Dewar's True Scotch lineup, founded in Perth, Scotland in 1846 by John Dewar. The blend draws on whiskies from over 40 malt and grain distilleries across Scotland, with the heart of the malt component coming from Aberfeldy Distillery in Perthshire, which the Dewar family built in 1896 specifically to anchor the house style. Each component whisky is matured for a minimum of 12 years before master blender Stephanie Macleod marries them together, after which the finished blend goes back into oak casks for an additional six months of secondary maturation, the signature Dewar's "double aging" technique that gives the whisky its hallmark roundness and silky character. Bottled at 40% ABV and 80 proof, the result is a beautifully balanced and smooth blended Scotch with notes of honey, dried fruit, vanilla, and gentle spice, finished with a faint kiss of smoke. As of autumn 2022, Dewar's reformulated and updated the 12 Year, dropping "The Ancestor" naming and moving to a clear glass bottle, making the original red bottle Ancestor presentation a back vintage favored by collectors of the classic Dewar's livery.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
John Dewar & Sons Ltd. |
| Region |
Perthshire, Scotland |
| Producer |
Bacardi (Dewar's parent) |
| Master Blender |
Stephanie Macleod |
| Type |
Blended Scotch Whisky — Double Aged |
| Heart Malt |
Aberfeldy Single Malt (Highland) |
| Blend |
40+ malt and grain whiskies, all aged minimum 12 years |
| Maturation |
Minimum 12 years, plus 6 months additional double aging in oak after blending |
| Age |
12 Years |
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 Proof |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Packaging |
Original "The Ancestor" red bottle livery (pre 2022 reformulation) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Bright mid amber to caramel gold.
Nose: Honey, caramel, and dried fruit lead, with apple, apricot, citrus peel, vanilla, and faint malt smoke. Floral and welcoming with a creamy malt undertone.
Palate: Smooth and balanced with vanilla, butterscotch, toasted barley, and almond. Soft spice of cinnamon and ginger builds on the mid palate alongside a touch of buttered toast and honey.
Finish: Medium length with lingering caramel, oak, and a final whisper of gentle smoke. Rounded and warming, the signature double aged smoothness in full effect.
FAQ
What does double aged mean?
After Dewar's blends its 12 year old malt and grain whiskies together, the finished blend is placed back into oak casks for an additional six months of secondary maturation. This marrying period allows the components to harmonize and deepens the overall texture, producing the rounded, silky house style that has earned Dewar's over a thousand awards as one of the most awarded blended Scotches in history.
Why is this bottle called "The Ancestor"?
"The Ancestor" was the historical name for Dewar's 12 Year, used to honor John Dewar, the founder who pioneered the blending of Scotch whisky in 1846. As of autumn 2022, the 12 Year was reformulated and rebottled in a clear glass bottle with updated labeling, and "The Ancestor" name was dropped. This bottle features the original red glass and scroll label presentation, making it a back vintage of the classic Dewar's 12 design.
What is the role of Aberfeldy in Dewar's 12?
Aberfeldy Distillery in Perthshire was built by the Dewar family in 1896 specifically to provide the heart malt for their blends, and it has anchored Dewar's house style ever since. The honeyed, lightly fruity character of Aberfeldy Single Malt is the backbone of the 12 Year, supported by 40 plus other malt and grain whiskies sourced across Scotland.
Where can I buy Dewar's 12 Year online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
