Aberlour Glenlivet 12-Year-Old (1980s Edition)
75cl / 40%
£139.00
- Region: Speyside
- Chilfiltered: Yes
Tasting Notes
Soft sherry influence with dried fruits, almonds, and a hint of old leather.
Rounded and smooth with malty sweetness, spice, and subtle oak.
Medium length, warming, with lingering dried fruit and a touch of pepper.
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Pre-modern Aberlour bottling still carrying the “Glenlivet” suffix, 12 years old, 40%, classic sherried Speyside look from the 1980s.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Aberlour Distillery, Speyside, Scotland |
| Category | Single malt Scotch whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 12 Years Old / c. 1980s |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV (some 43% export bottles existed; 40% is the common spec) / 70cl and 75cl both seen in this era |
| Cask / Treatment | Sherry-influenced Speyside maturation typical of Aberlour of the time; exact cask recipe not stated by the producer |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (regular distillery bottling of the era) |
| Intended channel | UK and overseas specialist markets |
| Packaging | 1980s Aberlour Glenlivet label, often cream/brown, sometimes with tube/carton |
| Notes on discrepancies | Important to use the full name “Aberlour Glenlivet” to separate it from later, simply “Aberlour” 10/12yo bottlings |
Historical Context
In the 1970s–1980s a number of Speyside distilleries carried the “Glenlivet” suffix to signal geographical/style lineage. Aberlour Glenlivet 12 from this period is a good example: recognisably Aberlour, but using the older naming convention. The liquid itself sits in the classic sherried Speyside lane, softer than the modern A’bunadh-style bottlings and bottled at the then-standard 40%. Today these bottles are interesting because they show Aberlour’s pre-modern packaging and an earlier take on the house style.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
Documented/likely variants
-
12yo, 40%, 70cl, 1980s Aberlour Glenlivet label.
-
12yo, 40% or 43%, 75cl, export.
-
Tube/carton vs bottle-only.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 75cl | 1980s export | “Aberlour Glenlivet” wording, tall bottle | High |
| 40% | 70cl | 1980s UK/EU | Same label, 70cl | Core |
| 43% | 75cl | Certain exports | Higher ABV, same label family | Highest if encountered |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
-
Label must say “Aberlour Glenlivet”.
-
Age statement 12 Years Old must be present.
-
Check fill: older bottles can drop.
-
Tube or carton adds collectability.
-
Watch for later Aberlour 10 or 12 being mis-described as “Aberlour Glenlivet”.
Liquid Profile
-
Nose: Dried fruits, sultana, honey, soft malt, light toffee, a touch of orange.
-
Palate: Rounded, medium weight, gentle sherry, nutty malt, light oak spice.
-
Finish: Medium, warming, slightly nutty and sweet.
-
With water: Brings out more fruit and toffee.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
-
Original RRP (1980s): modest premium over standard malts.
-
Current vintage retail band: 90–140 GBP depending on fill, ABV and packaging.
-
Auction band: 65–110 GBP is common for good-condition bottles.
-
Pricing stratification: 43%/75cl > 40%/75cl boxed > 40%/70cl bottle-only.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage specialist | 12yo, “Aberlour Glenlivet”, boxed | 120–140 | Top presentation |
| Whisky auction | 12yo, 40%, 70cl, good fill | 70–100 | Typical band |
| Whisky auction | 12yo, 40%, low fill/no box | 65–75 | Condition-based discount |
Sourcing
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Target: 70/75cl, 40–43%, label clearly says “Aberlour Glenlivet”, carton if possible.
-
Avoid: modern Aberlour 10/12 sold under the old name; heavily low-filled bottles.
-
Buy around 70–90 GBP if boxed; sell toward top of band with strong photos.
