Dufftown 11 Years Old 2009 Cask #51 (The Whisky Chamber)

A Dufftown of an 11 year old chosen by the bottler The Whisky Chamber, distilled in 2009, from cask 51, bottled at 56%, one of 424 bottles. Dufftown, owned by Diageo, is a workhorse Speyside distillery and the home of the Singleton of Dufftown. It became the heart of the Bell's blend after Arthur Bell and Sons bought it in 1933.

The spirit was distilled for the nutty, malty character Dufftown is known for, giving the smooth, approachable Speyside spirit. Maturation came in a Port cask, layered over the smooth Dufftown make. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the body softer and nuttier. The malty, nutty spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its Speyside fruit. The Singleton style leans on a mix of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry oak. Built for the blender's art, the spirit ages with grace as a single malt.

At cask strength 56% it is full bodied. A smooth, nutty Speyside fruit, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. The texture is smooth and creamy, the fruit lifted by vanilla. Apple, nut and a soft oak see out the finish. This is Dufftown, a heart malt of the Bell's blend.