Aberargie Inaugural Release: The Morrison Family’s Return to Distilling
When I first read about the Aberargie Inaugural Release, I immediately knew this wasn’t just another “new distillery” headline. This is the Morrison family stepping back into distilling — not through acquisition, not through sourcing, but by building something of their own from barley to bottle.
I was invited by my dear friend Peter Linting to attend the official launch at the Hielander Whisky Festival, and I genuinely wish I could have been there. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it. Still, I felt compelled to share this on Dram1.com because the Aberargie Inaugural Release is, in my view, one of the most meaningful Scotch launches of the year. This is a brand with depth, heritage and intent — and that combination is rare.
The Morrison Legacy: Why This Name Carries Weight
The Morrison family’s roots in Scotch whisky stretch back decades. Through Morrison Bowmore Distillers, they were once custodians of some of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries, playing a defining role in shaping modern single malt as we know it.
After selling their interests in the 1990s, the family eventually returned to the whisky world through independent bottling and blending under Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers. But Aberargie marks something different: a full return to distilling on their own terms.
Located on the family’s farm in Perthshire, Aberargie is not a vanity project. It is built around control — of barley, of fermentation, of maturation. In a market where branding often leads and production follows, that philosophy stands out.
Aberargie Inaugural Release: What’s Actually in the Bottle
The Aberargie Inaugural Release was distilled in 2017 and is the distillery’s first official single malt Scotch whisky.
What makes this release particularly compelling is its barley-to-bottle approach:
- Barley: 52% Golden Promise and 48% Laureate — grown on the Morrison family farm
- Maturation: First-fill bourbon casks and first-fill sherry casks
- ABV: 48.2%
- Presentation: Non-chill filtered, no added colouring
That combination tells you a lot about the intended house style. Golden Promise brings richness and texture. First-fill bourbon casks add vanilla and orchard fruit lift. Sherry casks contribute depth, dried fruit and spice. Bottling at 48.2% ABV keeps structure and mouthfeel intact without pushing into aggressive territory.
Early tasting notes point toward baked apple, ripe stone fruits, sultanas, pastry sweetness and a gently spiced backbone. It sounds layered rather than flashy — and that’s exactly what you would expect from a family that understands maturation and balance.
This isn’t a gimmick release. It’s measured.
Why the Aberargie Inaugural Release Is Significant
Scotch is in an interesting place right now. Exports have fluctuated. Investment hype has cooled. Consumers are asking more questions about provenance and transparency.
The Aberargie Inaugural Release arrives at precisely that moment.
It represents:
- A respected whisky family returning to hands-on production
- A genuine barley-to-bottle philosophy
- A clear stylistic direction from day one
That combination gives this release weight beyond its age statement. It signals long-term vision rather than short-term noise.
What Others Write About Aberargie
It’s always important to see how the wider whisky community is reacting. Here are a few independent perspectives on the Aberargie Inaugural Release:
- The Whiskey Wash – Coverage of the distillery launch and the significance of the Morrison family’s return to production.
https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/aberargie-distillery-launches-first-single-malt-whisky/ - The Dutch Whisky Association – A European perspective on the inaugural bottling and its positioning in the premium market.
https://www.thedutchwhiskyassociation.nl/index.php/2026/02/11/allereerste-single-malt-van-aberargie/ - The Scotsman – Focused on the Morrison family heritage and the local impact of the new distillery in Perthshire.
https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/i-tried-historic-scots-whisky-familys-inaugural-single-malt-its-a-love-letter-to-the-past-5531776
Together, they underline what many of us are thinking: this is a serious release from serious whisky people.
Final Thoughts
Even though I missed the launch at Hielander, the Aberargie Inaugural Release feels like one of those moments you’ll look back on in five or ten years and say, “That was the beginning.”
This is not just another bottle hitting shelves.
It’s a family returning to distilling with patience, credibility and full control over the process. And if the inaugural release is anything to go by, Aberargie is a brand to watch very closely.
I’ll be bringing a full Dram1 tasting review as soon as I get it in the glass.
