Dewar’s 12 Year Old Ancestor (1980s Edition)
75cl / 43.4%
£59.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
- Coloring: Yes
Tasting Notes
Orange, Lemon, Honey, Candy
Wild Honey, Apple, Sherbet
Medium Finish, Sweet
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This vintage Blended Scotch offers superior liquid quality relative to its modern counterpart, primarily due to its higher bottling strength of 43.5% ABV.
Historical Context: The Pre-Modern Blend Landscape
The Dewar’s 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky historically utilized the specific title 'The Ancestor,' a dedication to John Dewar, the founder. This 1980s bottling is considered a classic representation of Scotch blending from that period. It is acknowledged that this vintage blend contained a "fair proportion of long-aged whisky" compared to contemporary bottlings. The blend is crafted from up to forty different malt and grain whiskies. Notably, the core malt component historically originated from the Aberfeldy distillery, which Dewar’s constructed in 1896.
Like all Dewar’s blends, this edition underwent the signature "double aging" process, where the spirit is returned to oak barrels for a final marrying period.
Technical Specifications and Vintage Markers
The Dewar’s 12 Year Old Ancestor is a Blended Scotch Whisky with an age statement of 12 years. This vintage bottling, estimated to date from the 1980s, is bottled at 43.5% ABV (equivalent to 76' proof). This specific strength is a critical indicator of its vintage era. Before the widespread adoption of the 40% EU minimum ABV standard, 43% or 43.5% ABV was common for premium blends intended for international markets. This higher strength inherently provides superior flavour retention and a more robust mouthfeel compared to the 40% ABV found in modern Dewar’s 12 Year Old releases. The presence of E150 caramel colouring is confirmed. Volumes available include 75cl and the 100cl Duty Free format.
Liquid Profile: Classic 1980s Blend Character
The flavour profile of the 1980s Ancestor leans toward a well-balanced mix of malt, fruit, and honey, characteristic of older, high-quality standard blends.
The nose features light notes of lemon and butter, overlaid with hints of vanilla and general fruitiness, culminating in a light, faintly smoky presence. On the palate, the whisky is perceived as smooth and rich, offering flavours of orange, wild honey, apple, and sherbet, complemented by notes of brown sugar, hazelnut, and almond. The finish is described as medium in length and sweet, concluding with a light woody character and lingering lemon.
As a vintage bottle, liquid condition and the integrity of the cork and seal are important considerations.
Market Analysis and Valuation
Despite its impressive age and demonstrably higher bottling strength compared to current market standards, the Dewar’s 12 Year Old Ancestor typically exhibits low market appreciation. Current auction hammer prices are modest, ranging between GBP 35.00 and GBP 59.00.
This low valuation underscores a significant divergence in collector preference, where vintage standard blends generally suffer from a substantial valuation discount. For an investor focused purely on asset appreciation, this bottle presents a limited opportunity. Conversely, for a connoisseur interested in tasting historical liquid quality, it represents an outstanding value proposition, offering a superior 1980s-era blended Scotch at an entry-level secondary market price.
