Dufftown

Translation: Duffs City (after founder James Duff, 4th Earl of Fife)
Region: Speyside

The capital whiskey.

"Dufftown stands on seven stills." This proud comparison of the small town of Dufftown with the Eternal City of Rome was marked towards the end of the 19th century. At that time, Dufftown was home to no less than seven distilleries: Mortlach, Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Convalmore, Glendullan, Parkmore, and Dufftown, the distillery known as the place.
This accumulation is actually remarkable, because the town Dufftown has only about 1500 inhabitants and consists essentially of two roads. Over the decades, some of the distilleries closed (Parkmore, Convalmore), new ones were added (Kininvie, Pittyvaich). The reputation as a whiskey capital retained Dufftown.
And so in the small town next to famous distilleries with beautiful visitor centers, there is also a well-stocked whiskey specialty shop, a small whiskey museum, the Spirit of Speyside Whiskey Festival in the spring and autumn the Autumn Speyside Whiskey Festival. Visitors welcome.

A little history

The distillery Dufftown was built in 1896 as the sixth distillery in the same place. Founders Peter Mackenzie, Richard Stackpole, John Symon and Charles MacPherson rebuilt an old flour mill.
The production started on November 10, 1896. As early as 1897, the distillery went to P. Mackenzie & Co., owner of the distillery Blair Athol in Pitlochry.
In 1933, Arthur Bell & Sons bought Dufftown for £ 56,000.
In 1968, the Malting Floors were closed. In 1974 and 1979, the capacity was increased to a total of 6 stills.
In 1985, the distillery went to United Distillers & Vintner (UDV, today Diageo).
Dufftown is the largest of the many distilleries owned by Diageo. Since 2006, the single malt is marketed under the name "The Singleton of Dufftown".

What do I actually have in the glass?

The Singleton of Dufftown is a very balanced medium-bodied Speyside malt with distinct fruit notes and a delicate sweetness. Soft and warm and never really wrong.

3 reasons to love Dufftown

1) Because this is where the heart of malt whiskey beats.
2) Because a mill is nice, but a distillery is even better.
3) Because "The Singleton" sounds so appetizing stimulating.

The one drama for the lonely island

The 18-year-old singleton gathers intense aromas of ripe fruit and spices and is wonderful as a warming dram after the autumn walk.

numbers and facts

Address: Dufftown, Banffshire AB55 4BR
Founded: 1896 by Peter Mackenzie, Richard Stackpole, John Symon, Charles MacPherson
Status: active
Owner: Diageo
Capacity: about 5,800,000 liters
3 wash stills (19,775 l, used only 13,100 l)
3 spirit stills (24,080 l, used only 15,300 l)
Water: Jock's Well
Visitor Center: Yes
Telephone: +44 (0) 1340-822100
Website: www.malts.com