Dufftown 13 Years Old JM Fine Malt Selection (James MacArthur)

This Dufftown was bottled by James MacArthur, a 13 year old, bottled at 59.6%. Dufftown is a Speyside single malt drawn from Jock's Well in the Conval Hills. In recent years the ferment was lengthened and the wort run clear for a grassier make.

Made on Conval Hills water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for a soft, nutty, fruit driven make. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the smooth spirit. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the nutty, malty spirit growing rounder. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple and malt deepening to honey. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Built for the blender's art, the spirit ages with grace as a single malt. The slow distillation gives a smooth spirit that takes well to the cask. A gentle maturation suits the smooth make, the nutty malt growing richer with time.

At a natural 59.6% it is full and nutty. Apple, malt and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. It finishes smooth, nutty and approachable. This is Dufftown, a heart malt of the Bell's blend.