Aberfeldy 21 Year Limited Edition St-Emelion Cask Finish Review

In-Depth Review

Aberfeldy feels like a distillery that’s never reached its full potential. Perhaps you can blame their corporate overloads at Bacardi, or its contracts fulfilling a core part of Dewar’s blends - but it’s hard to deny that Aberfeldy should probably be enjoying more success than it does. Truth be told, I had to look up where Aberfeldy actually is since I realized I couldn’t even tell you which region it lies in (it’s a Highland distillery in case you also didn’t know).

Clearly, Aberfeldy distillery has never been high on my list of distilleries to seek out. While I’m familiar with their core range, I have never been compelled to fork down the money to grab a bottle for myself - until now. Recently, I had the chance to pick up this Aberfeldy 21 year old that’s been finished in St-Emilion wine casks from Liquor Lineup in Las Vegas at a sizable discount. A 21-year whisky finished in wine casks from one of the most famous regions in Bordeaux? Sign me up.

For this limited-edition expression, Aberfeldy takes their normal 21 year and finishes it for an undisclosed amount of time in red wine casks from St-Emelion. The latest release of this finishing series was done in Argentinean Malbec casks while this one seems to have been released a few years ago (but can’t confirm release date). This French oak iteration clocks in at 43% ABV, retails from anywhere from $200-$275, and makes no mention of coloration or chill filtration. The price is steep. But are you getting an elevated drinking experience for all that cash?

Age: 21 Years

ABV: 43%

Cask: Finished in St Emelion Grand Cru barrels

MSRP: Around $225

Distillery Name: Aberfeldy Distillery

Review Date: 12/14/25

Color: Rust

Nose: The nose starts off with huge waves of red apple, Christmas spices, and fresh baked bread, before settling into old oak, sour grapes, and creamy milk chocolate. There’s an undeniably heavy red wine influence that mixes beautifully with a strong malty character that leads to a decadent nosing experience.

Palate: The palate continues the fruity theme with notes of fresh apple peel, poached pears, manuka honey, and aged oak. The first sip can feel like biting straight into Juicy Fruit chewing gum or a red Starburst. It immediately makes your mouth water and provides a lovely velvety texture alongside an easy-going level of heat.

Finish: Medium length finish that takes the bright red fruits from the nose and palate and slowly tapers them off into a drying, wood spice complemented by an umami note reminiscent of cured meats. While not extraordinarily lengthy, the finish remains just long enough to provide a compelling signoff to the experience.  

Final Thoughts: While other distilleries can struggle to successfully integrate a powerful red wine influence, Aberfeldy has successfully brought out the best in their 21-year-old expression with this marriage of famous red wine casks. Aberfeldy 21 St-Emelion Cask Finish is a juicy, well-rounded malt that has had all its rough edges removed and replaced by waves of juicy fruit and velvety textures. It’s long slumber in oak has provided a great foundation from which to build in the red wine influence – without ever turning it into a drying, tannic experience. The biggest complaint here is that it may come off as one dimensional – with perhaps too much of its character rounded away after all those years. It won’t be a whisky that challenges you – but if you’re looking for a well-aged whisky to get the red wine lover in your life excited about malt – this may be one of the best options out on the market.

Score: 90