Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered
Twelve years old, just like the Double Cask, but bottled at 48% and non-chill filtered. Fuller, oilier, and with more sherry and chocolate on the palate.
What non-chill filtration does to a whisky
Most whiskies are heavily chilled and filtered before bottling. This removes fatty acids and proteins that can make the whisky cloudy when chilled or when water is added. The downside: these compounds also carry away some of the flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. This Aberlour skips that step.
The result is a full, rich malt with fruit, sherry, chocolate, and a long finish. It is bottled at 48%, considerably higher than the 40% of the 12 Years Double Cask, making it bolder and oilier on the palate. Add water and it may turn slightly cloudy. That isn't a flaw, but proof that nothing has been filtered out.
At a glance
Fuller and oilier than the regular 12
Sherry & fruit
Sherry and ripe fruit, with a warm alcohol note typical of 48%. A few drops of water bring the fruit further forward.
Full and chocolatey
A thick, almost oily mouthfeel with fruit, sherry, and chocolate. Noticeably richer than the Double Cask at 40%.
Long
A long finish in which the sherry and chocolate linger, with a warm hint of alcohol.
Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered tasting notes, neat. Add a splash of water to soften the strength and bring out sweeter, fruitier notes.
Add water, or not
At 48%, this is a whisky to experiment with. Taste it neat first, then add a few drops of water at a time.
First, neat
3 cl in a tulip-shaped tasting glass at room temperature. Take a small sip and hold it in your mouth for a moment: then you'll feel the full, oily mouthfeel that chill filtration normally removes.
Glass: tasting glass →Then with water
Add a teaspoon of cool water to 3 cl of whisky. It may turn slightly cloudy; that's normal. The alcohol bite softens, and the fruit and sherry become sweeter and more pronounced.
Tasting glasses →In a Penicillin
50 ml Aberlour 12 NCF, 20 ml lemon juice, 20 ml honey and ginger syrup. Shake with ice and pour over a large ice cube. At 48%, the whisky holds its own against the citrus and ginger.
Penicillin recipe →Cocktails that make the most of the extra strength
A stronger whisky holds up better against lemon, honey and sugar. That's why the 48% works so well in a shaken cocktail.
Penicillin
Whisky, lemon, honey and ginger. The extra strength comes through nicely.
Whisky Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar and egg white. At 48%, you get a robust, full-bodied sour.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, sugar and bitters over a large ice cube. The melting water opens up the whisky slowly.
Godfather
Whisky with amaretto over ice. The chocolate note pairs well with the almond.The right glass for Aberlour 12 Non Chill Filtered
A tulip-shaped glass to capture the aromas and add water, and a heavy tumbler for the Penicillin and Old Fashioned.
More Aberlour flavors
Aberlour
Where it all began. Read all about Aberlour on the brand page: its origins, varieties and classic cocktails.
Go to Aberlour →
Aberlour 14 Years
Fruit, butterscotch, and oak with a hint of blackcurrant. Rounded, creamy, and easy to drink neat.
View Aberlour 14 Years →
Aberlour 18 Years
Apricot, blackcurrant jam, and sweet oak, with a long finish of wood and honey. For special occasions.
View Aberlour 18 Years →
Aberlour A'Bunadh
Exclusively oloroso sherry casks, at cask strength and without chill filtration. Bold and aromatic, made for a splash of water.
View Aberlour A'Bunadh →
Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba
Cask strength in American oak: vanilla and coconut, with red apple and honey. Sweet and creamy, without sherry.
View Aberlour A'Bunadh Alba →Everything about whisky: the types, the best-known brands, and the cocktails.
Questions about Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered
Can't find your question here? Read more on the Aberlour page or check out our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Aberlour →What is the alcohol content of Aberlour 12 Non Chill Filtered?
What does non chill filtered mean?
What's the difference compared with Aberlour 12 Double Cask?
Why does Aberlour turn cloudy when mixed with water?
Is Aberlour 12 Non Chill Filtered smoky?
Buy Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered
Want the bottle delivered straight to your home? Order Aberlour 12 Years Non Chill Filtered online at Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
