Aberlour 10 Year Old 1982 Bottling

A vintage Speyside Single Malt, defined by its 1980s presentation, unadulterated colour, and Non-Chill-Filtered status.

At-a-Glance

Historical Context

Aberlour Distillery was established in Speyside in 1879 by James Fleming. The 10 Year Old expression served as a cornerstone of the distillery's core range for many decades. It was initially introduced in the 1970s under the designation V.O.H.M. (Very Old Highland Malt) and presented in a distinctive Cognac-style bottle.

The 1982 bottling represents a key transitional phase for the brand. In the 1980s, Aberlour rebranded and adopted a more traditional bottle shape, retiring the earlier Cognac style, while maintaining the 10 Year Old age statement. This specific bottling era is highly regarded because it precedes the industry-wide increase in production efficiency and subsequent wide adoption of chill filtration and high degrees of caramel colouring (E150a) in mainstream single malt releases. The 10 Year Old expression itself was finally discontinued in 2021, replaced by the 12 Year Old Double Cask as the entry-level offering.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

This whisky is defined by its maturity: 10 Years Old. Crucially for collectors, the 1982 bottling is confirmed to be Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) and contains No Colouring. This technical integrity assures the consumer of a true, unadulterated presentation of the liquid as it came from the cask (save for dilution to bottling strength).

The maturation regime focused on Sherry Oak, specifically Oloroso Sherry casks. Bottled at 40% ABV, this was the standard bottling strength for most commercial single malts in the early 1980s. The technical purity (NCF and Natural Colour) is the single most significant factor driving collector interest, as it preserves the original texture and full flavour profile often lost through modern filtration processes.

Documented variants

The Aberlour 10 Year Old was a globally distributed core product, leading to volume variants in 70cl, 75cl, and 1L, all bottled at 40% ABV. Collectors specifically seek bottles from the 1980s era, identifiable by the transitional bottle shape and specific label typography.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

Buyers must confirm the bottle shape matches the traditional 1980s format, differentiating it from the earlier, highly distinct Cognac-style bottle. For vintage single malts, fill levels are critical. While modern expressions typically maintain a neck fill, a fill level of mid-shoulder (MS) or high shoulder (HS) is generally acceptable for a four-decade-old bottle. Given the verified NCF status, buyers should not be concerned by the presence of natural lipid or cask sediment, which are signs of unadulterated production and do not affect the flavour if consumed.

Regulatory/terminology notes

The verified status of Non-Chill Filtration is a key technical differentiator. Chill filtration is a process that removes certain fatty acids and esters at low temperatures to prevent cloudiness when the whisky is cooled or when water is added. The decision to omit this process in the 1982 bottling is highly valued by consumers who prioritise mouthfeel and natural richness. The confirmation of No Colouring (Natural Colour) also assures that the liquid’s hue is entirely derived from its Oloroso sherry cask maturation.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

Specific consumer tasting notes for this exact 1982 bottling are not readily available in the provided sources. However, the profile is expected to be characteristic of a classic, decade-old Speyside malt matured predominantly in Oloroso sherry wood, exhibiting a rich, fruity, and robust palate, enhanced by the preservation of texture due to the lack of chill filtration.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

The 1982 Aberlour 10 Year Old is valued significantly higher than its modern replacement, driven almost entirely by its status as an NCF, Natural Colour vintage expression. A UK specialist retailer lists the 75cl version at £79.00. The original RRP is Not stated by the producer.

Auction results show substantial price fluctuations, which can be attributed to varying bottle volumes (70cl vs. 1L) and, critically, condition/fill level. Auction results quoted in Euros provide a range of €30 to €88 across 2021 and 2024 for the 1L format.²⁴ The market displays sensitivity to format and condition; while the 75cl format commands a steady specialist retail price, larger volumes or compromised condition bottles sell toward the lower end of the auction spectrum. The pricing reinforces the value of vintage purity in the eyes of collectors.

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £79.00 (75cl/40%).23

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): €35 (Jan 2024), €88 (Oct 2021), €30 (Sep 2021).24

Pricing stratification: Highly variable, dependent on volume (70cl/75cl formats generally more collectible than 1L) and the level of ullage or cosmetic damage.

FX note: Not applicable.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Moderate liquidity, sustained by dedicated collectors seeking the verified NCF sherry profile that defined the 1980s era of Speyside single malts.

Price Snapshot

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Aberlour is a major Speyside producer under Pernod Ricard. Its established house style focuses on high-quality sherry cask maturation, resulting in rich, spicy, and full-bodied single malts. The distillery was expanded in 1973, shortly before the bottling of this 10 Year Old expression, ensuring consistent production capacity during this period.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras to prefer: 70cl or 75cl bottles with the traditional 1980s bottle shape and confirmed NCF/Natural Colour status.

Red flags to avoid: Bottles showing signs of excessive evaporation (low fill levels); confusion with the earlier V.O.H.M. era or later chill-filtered releases.

Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Mid to High Shoulder fill level is a prerequisite. Intact original labelling is necessary for full value retention.

Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: Medium velocity; solid margins achieved by appealing to vintage whisky enthusiasts who value technical purity over mainstream availability.