Dufftown Rare Malts Selection 21 Years Old 1975

A 21 year old Dufftown, a distillery bottling, from 1975, at 54.8%. Dufftown is one of Diageo's largest malt distilleries, founded in 1895 in a former mill. Its spirit stills are larger than its wash stills, unusual among Scottish distilleries.

Distilled from unpeated Speyside malt in the distillery's six stills, for a clean, malty Speyside spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a nutty depth. A gentle maturation suits the smooth make, the nutty malt growing richer with time. The town of Dufftown holds the highest concentration of distilleries in Scotland. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards honey, dried fruit and a soft spice. It runs a full lauter mash tun, twelve washbacks and six stills, and works around the clock.

At 54.8%, undiluted, it is deep and malty. Baked apple, nut and a creamy malt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pear, honey and a creamy malt fill the middle. The finish is smooth, nutty and gently spiced. This is a Speyside single malt of real character.