1805 John Dewar was born to humble crofter parents on a small farm in the very heart of Scotland. His first language is Gaelic, but he learns English at the local parish school, a skill which will be useful in business. Deciding farming isn't for him, John apprentices as a joiner, and sets up business with his brother in Aberfeldy.

1828 John decides he just isn't cut out to be a joiner. He jumps at the opportunity to move to Perth and work as a cellarman in Uncle Alex MacDonald's Perth wine business. In 1837 he becomes partner in his uncle's spirit business and it becomes known as MacDonald and Dewar.

1846 John gets the entrepreneurial bug, so dissolves his partnership with his uncle and launches his own innovative wine and spirit business in Perth High Street. John is a pioneer in blending whisky and among the first men to sell Scotch in glass bottles branded with his own name.

1860 John starts to expand the business beyond the confines of Perth and employs a 'traveller' or salesman. Scottish hotels and bars are happy to stock his quality whiskies.

1871 John's son, John Alexander Dewar joins his father in his business and proves to be an eager pupil. By the time he was 23 in 1879, he became partner with his father.

1880 At the age of 74, John Dewar dies and leaves behind a modest Scottish business built on a solid foundation of the finest quality blended whisky. His son, John A. inherited the business and a few year later in 1884, his brother Tommy joins the family firm. Tommy is a lively 20 year old and what he lacks in experience, he makes up for with enthusiasm.

1885 Tommy invades London to establish a beachhead against brandy, rum and gin. Whisky is little known and little drunk in the capital, and Tommy arrives with introductions to just two men - one dead and the other bankrupt. Despite this setback, he manages to create a massive demand for Dewar's whisky through hard work and sheer genius.

1886 Dewar's whisky wins its first metal -- on home turf. This landmark first medal is awarded for blended whisky by people who really know their Scotch -- the judges at the Edinburgh Exhibition of 1886. Over the next century or so, Dewar's wins a record 80+ medals and prizes worldwide. The same year Tommy becomes a partner with his brother in the family business after having proven his credentials as a whisky salesman.

1891 Dewar's Scotch arrives at the White House. Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate and Scottish crofter's son, orders a small keg of Dewar's to be sent President Benjamin Harrison for not supporting home-grown products (ie. bourbon). Tommy can't have enough of the publicity. "It was the very best kind of advertising I ever had, and certainly the cheapest...inquires and orders flowed to us from all parts of the States."

1892 Tommy sets out on a two year global sales tour. Having secured the English market, 28 year old Tommy embarks on his first grand tour -- a one man, two year sales mission to 26 countries worldwide. He appoints 32 agents and establishes Dewar's export foundations.

1893 Queen Victoria awards her Royal Warrant. Dewar's has received Warrants for every British monarch from Queen Victoria to to Queen Elizabeth II, testifying that Dewar's is a personal supplier of Scotch whisky to their respective majesties.

1894 The indefatigable Tommy finds time to publish A Ramble Round the Globe - impressions and tales of his world travels. Amusingly written for the many people curious about his trip, it's a medley of social observation, whimsical anecdote, and detailed measurements -- from the dimensions of the Capitol in Washington to the diameter of a straw hat.

1895 Dewar's takes its pioneering spirit to the US, opening its first office on Bleeker Street, New York. The same year an office is opened in Dublin and Tommy buys his first car - a 3 and a half horse power chain driven Benz. It is only the third car to be purchased in the UK, after the Prince of Wales and his close friend Sir Thomas Lipton.

1897 Tommy is made Sheriff of London, after serving on the London County Council.

1898 Dewar's Scotch Whisky stars in the first ever film advertisement for a drink. It was commissioned by Tommy and produced by the Edision Company. The film of dancing Scotsmen is projected on the roof of a building in New York's Herald Square (home of Macy's department stores). The commercial does more than surprise New Yorkers -- it stops traffic.

1898 The Aberfeldy Distillery opens. John A. Dewar sees that, to meet growing demand, the firm must be able to guarantee the supply of a superior quality Highland malt whisky for use in the company's blends. Aberfeldy is designed from the ground up as a model distillery. It relies upon a water source, the Pitilie Burn, which has been used for distilling for centuries. The distillery is linked by railway to the company's Perth headquarters.

1899 Dewar's White Lable is unveiled. The blend is the creation of A.J. Cameron, Dewar's first Master Blender. Cameron is a pioneer of new blending techniques, marrying his whiskies by region of origin before the creation of the final blend. His relentless commitment to quality and consistency is behind the perfectly balanced taste of Dewar's White Label and the promise that "It never varies".

1900 John A. is elected liberal MP for Inverness-shire. Tommy Dewar is elected Conservative Member of Parliament for St. George Division, Tower Hamlets.

1902 Tommy Dewar is knighted on 18th December in the Coronation honours list of Edward VII.

1906 Dewar's has offices in Calcutta, Sydney and Melbourne.

1907 John A. Dewar is made a baronet on 24 July in the retiring honours list of Prime Minister Asquith. John, son of John A. joins the business.

1908 Dewar House, the firm's London office, opens in the Haymarket.

1911 Dewar's creates the largest mechanical sign in Europe, on the Thames Embankment in London. The 68 foot Highlander is composed of six miles of electric cable, and the lamps flash on and off so he appears to take a drink. Homebound commuters are stopped in their tracks.

1915 Dewar's amalgamate with rivals Buchanan's to strengthen mutual interests and avoid competition.

1917 Tommy Dewar buys "The MacNab", the portrait of a highlander by the famous Scottish painter Raeburn. It will hang in Dewar's London office in the Haymarket.

John A. Dewar is created Lord Forteviot of Dupplin by King George V. His castle at Dupplin, just outside Perth, includes a working farm. John A. invests a lot of time and effort in rebuilding the village of Forteviot which is nearby.

1917 - 1919 Aberfeldy Distillery closes due to war-time shortages of barley.

1919 Tommy is raised to the peerage, with the title "Baron Dewar of Homestall". Homestall is the country estate in Sussex, where he breeds racing dogs and horses.

1920 Prohibition starts in the USA. Distillers are hit hard, but whisky is still available as a medicinal product and there is so much smuggling that you don't have to look too far to find a bottle of Dewar's.

1923 Dewar's buys up distilleries at Ord, Parkmore, Pultney and Aultmore to ensure supplies of single malt whiskies for blending.

1925 Dewar's, Buchanan's and Johnnie Walker amalgamate with the Distillers Company Ltd (DCL). John A.'s son, John, takes a leading role in the newly formed DCL.

1927 Dewar's produces the first documentary on the production and blending of Scotch whisky. Filmed at Aberfeldy Distillery and the company office in Perth, it documents the entire process from the ingredients, through distilling, blending, bottling, and despatch.

Dewar's introduces their innovative spring cap. This resealable invention is a great improvement on the use of corks, which can affect the flavour of the whisky.

1929 John A. Dewar, Lord of Forteviot, dies, leaving over £4.5 million and the firm with annual profits of more than £1 million. He is mourned by millions in his native Perth, where he had become a generous benefactor.

1930 Thomas, Lord Dewar, dies. Dying less than a year after his older brother, he leaves more than £5 million. £10,000 was to be distributed to the firm's employees.

1933 Repeal of the 18th Amendment of the US Constitution. Prohibition ends. Tommy would have rejoiced. He said in his book, "Anyone who wants to know my views on prohibition can have it in one word, and that word is 'bosh'."

1940 During the Second World War malt distilleries close due to a shortage of barley. Dewar's rations orders at home and abroad. Sales people are taken off the road. Dewar's is not able to meet demand for their whisky until 1962.

1942 - 1944 Aberfeldy Distillery closes due to war-time shortages of barley.

1946 Dewar's hits 100. The firm's birthday is a good excuse for celebration amid all the post-war austerity.

1954 Dewar's Ancestor, a luxury blend of 12 year old whiskies, is introduced by the House of Dewar. It replaces 'Victoria Vat' as the company's deluxe blend.

1955 Queen Elizabeth II grants Dewar's her Royal Warrant.

1961 New production facilites open at Inveralmond in Perth, Scotland, to meet the ever growing demand for Dewar's.

1966 Dewar's wins a Queen's Award for Export Achievement -- the first of its record total of six.

1972 Aberfeldy Distillery expands in order to produce more whisky. The number of wash backs increases from four to eight, and the pot stills from two to four.

1986 Dewar's White Label keeps growing, becoming the Number 1 Scotch whisky sold in the US.

1996 Dewar's 150th anniversary. A special bottle is produced to celebrate the occasion, designed by a Scottish student.

1999 Aberfeldy 12 Year Old single malt whisky is launched.

2000 Dewar's sees out the old Millennium and marches into the new at the Dewar's Hogmanay Millennium celebration on the Royal Mile Edinburgh.

Dewar's 12 is launched for selected markets including the USA and travel retail. It wins double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

New state of the art bottling facilities open in Glasgow, bottling over 470 bottles a minute.

Dewar's World of Whisky is opened by the Earl of Elgin. The exhibition is a celebration of the rich heritage of the company, and includes displays of selected items from the company archive. The limited edition Aberfeldy 25 YO is released in celebration of this occasion.

2002 Dewar's becomes the whisky sponsor of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Number 1 tourist attraction in Scotland. The Dewar Highlander is the perfect complement to the event.

2003 Dewar's Mini Tattoo takes place for the first time at Aberfeldy Distillery. As a result of Dewar's partnership with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a selection of acts from the tattoo perform on the lawn in front of the distillery to an enthusiastic crowd.

2005 Building on the success of Dewar's White Label and Dewar's 12, a full portfolio of Dewar's whiskies is launched. The Dewar's family of whiskies now includes a rich choice of exceptional quality. The blends consists of Dewar's White Label, Dewar's 12, Dewar's 18, and Signature, with a blended malt called Dewar's 15. The single malts, Abefeldy 12 and Aberfeldy 21, come from the heart of Dewar's, their special distillery at Aberfeldy which was built by the Dewar family.

Dewar's whiskies win 19 awards at competitive tastings, proving that Dewar's whisky is still the Medal Scotch of the World! Highlights include a gold medal for Dewar's 18 at Whisky Magazine's "Best of the Best", and a gold medal and 'Best in Class' for Aberfeldy 12.

A selection of Dewar's most prestigious and historic medals is still proudly displayed on every bottle. Each award is magnificent to look at and more impressive for what it says about Dewar's. Altogether, the company has been honoured with more than 140 awards, beginning with Dewar's first medal in 1886.

Courtesy of Dewar's

Dewar's World of Whisky

Summer (1st April - 31st October)
Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 12 noon to 4pm
Last admission is one hour before closing.

Please allow one and a half hours for your visit.

Silent Season
The month of October / November is usually our annual maintenance period. Traditionally known as the 'Silent Season', during this time the distillery tour may be unavailable, however the Brand Centre, Brand Store and coffee shop will remain open. Please call if you require further advice.

Standard Tour
Includes: Introductory Film, Heritage Exhibition, Distillery Tour, Whisky Tasting (choose from Dewar’s White Label, Dewar’s 12 Deluxe Blend, or Aberfeldy 12 Single Malt).

Adult
£6.50

OAP/Concession
£5.00

Under 18
£4.00

Child Ticket
Those under the age of 12 and in family groups are free.

Cask Tasting Tour £12
Includes: Introductory Film, Heritage Exhibition, Distillery Tour, Whisky Tasting (choose from Dewar’s White Label, Dewar’s 12 Deluxe Blend, or Aberfeldy 12 Single Malt), Cask Tasting in the Warehouse (25 year old Aberfeldy Single Malt direct from the cask).

Deluxe Tour £18
Includes: Introductory Film, Heritage Exhibition, Distillery Tour, Enhanced Whisky Tasting: Dewar’s 12 Deluxe Blend, Aberfeldy 12yo & Aberfeldy 21yo Single Malts plus one other. Complimentary Dewar’s Nosing Glass.

Aberfeldy Connoisseur’s Tour £30
Includes: Introductory Film, Heritage Exhibition, Private Distillery Tour, Private Accompanied Whisky Tasting of Dewar’s Portfolio including, among others, Aberfeldy 21yo, Aberfeldy Single Cask and Dewar’s Signature. Cask Tasting in the Warehouse (25 year old Aberfeldy Single Malt direct from the cask). Limited Edition Nosing Glass

Group Tours (12 or more)
Please contact the Brand Centre to discuss your personal group requirement. Group discount for parties of 12 or more are available with advance reservation. Please call at least 24 hours ahead of time.

By Car
Coming from Edinburgh? From Glasgow? Don't forget to pack your camera. You'll drive through some great scenery and you'll need that camera right beside you.

From Edinburgh
The drive is about one and a half hours. Leaving Edinburgh, cross the legendary Forth Road Bridge (Toll bridge). Join the M90 motorway and then the A9 Perth-to-Inverness trunk road. Leave the A9 at Ballinluig and follow the A827 alongside the River Tay to Aberfeldy. DEWAR'S World of Whisky is on your left, just before you get into the town, at Aberfeldy Distillery.

From Glasgow
The drive takes roughly one and a half hours. Leave Glasgow on the M80 (A80) signposted for Stirling. At Junction 9, join the M9 and then the A9 northbound. Stay on the A9, past Gleneagles, famous among golfers, to Perth. Stay on the A9 going north to Ballinluig. Follow the A827 along the River Tay to Aberfeldy. DEWAR'S World of Whisky is on your left, before you enter the town.

From The North
Following the A9 south, leave at Ballinluig and follow the A827 alongside the River Tay to Aberfeldy. DEWAR'S World of Whisky is on your left, just before you get into the town, at Aberfeldy Distillery.

Contact Us
DEWAR'S World of Whisky
Aberfeldy Distillery
Aberfeldy, Perthshire
PH15 2EB Scotland
Tel No. 01887 - 822010
Fax No. 01887 - 822012
Email: DEWAR'S World of Whisky

Courtesy of Dewar's