Dewar’s ‘absolutely committed’ to age statements

While some producers have branched out into no-age-statement releases, Dewar’s is “absolutely and utterly, truly committed” to age-statement whiskies, said master blender Stephanie Macleod.

Dewar’s latest innovation, Ilegal Smooth, was finished in ex-Ilegal Mezcal casks

Speaking to The Spirits Business last month (February), Macleod said age statements were a way to help consumers navigate the Scotch whisky category.

Macleod is also malt master for John Dewar & Sons’ single malt brands, which includes the Royal Brackla range.

Last year, Royal Brackla updated its three age statements for travel retail, which are due to launch in May this year.

The new line-up consists of: Royal Brackla 18 Years Old, which has been finished in oloroso Sherry casks; Royal Brackla 18 Years Old, which has been finished in Palo Cortado Sherry casks and will replace the 16-year-old; and Royal Brackla 21 Years Old, which has been finished in oloroso, Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks.

Asked about the importance of age statements to John Dewar & Sons, Macleod said: “We are absolutely and utterly, truly committed to age statements.

“Not only in our single malts, but in our premium blends as well. Age statements are like a signpost, a map for whisky drinkers, and if you then take that away it can sometimes leave people not quite knowing where to go.

“So we truly believe age statements are important, and we have to do a lot of careful planning of our inventory to ensure that we can support these age statements, and it’s not something we do lightly. It does take a lot of hard work to retain them.”

For the full in-depth interview with Stephanie Macleod see the March 2020 issue of The Spirits Business, out now.

Lat week, Dewar’s unveiled its most recent innovation, which has been finished in ex-Ilegal Mezcal casks: Dewar’s Ilegal Smooth.