Macduff
Translation: Son of the Black
Region: Speyside
Most people know when they were born and what their names are.
It's not that easy with Macduff. Most sources indicate 1962 as the year of birth. But some others know that the first spirit from the pot stills was already here in June 1960 and the construction of the distillery started in 1958. Similarly irritating is the question of the name. The official bottlings of the Macduff distillery are marketed under the name Glen Deveron. It was not always like that. Until the beginning of the 90s, the whiskey from the Macduff distillery was called Macduff. But then the competitor Distillers Company Limited (DCL) claimed rights to the name and Macduff decided to sell their own malt as Glen Deveron. This was the name of the founding consortium of the distillery: "Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd.". Named after the River Deveron, where the distillery is located. The bottlings, which are being launched by independent bottlers such as Signatory, Gordon & MacPhail and others, still name "Macduff" as their name. Confusing? Yes, somehow. On it a Macduff. Or Glen Deveron. Sláinte!
A little history
The Macduff Distillery was founded by Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd., consisting of business partners Brodie Hepburn, Marty Dykes and George Crawford. That's for sure. The year of foundation is generally 1962. But also in 1960 or even 1958 are called variously. In 1972, at any rate, the distillery was taken over by William Lawson, who in turn belonged to the Martini & Rossi Group. In 1990, the four pot stills were supplemented by a fifth. (The configuration of 2 wash stills and 3 spirit stills is very unusual and can only be found in Talisker.) In 1992, Martini and MacDuff distillery were acquired by Bacardi. Most of the whiskey produced by Macduff is still in the successful blend of William Lawson's.
What do I actually have in the glass?
The Macduff / Glen Deveron is a rather mild whiskey with a fine sweetness, a light nuttiness and a delicate fruit. In popular literature, this is often referred to as an ideal "beginner's malt". But is there anyway?
3 reasons to love your name
1) Because the Macduff Malt is round and balanced.
2) Because the Glen Deveron Malt is round and balanced.
3) Because names are only sound and (here rather little) smoke.
The one drama for the lonely island
Macduff from the C & S Dram series, matured for 22 years in the bourbon barrel, is a wonderfully pure, pure malt without frills. Vanilla and fruit notes and despite a powerful 54.9% a pleasantly soft finish.
numbers and facts
Address:
Founded in 1962 by Brodie Hepburn, Marty Dykes, George Crawford
Status: active
Owner: John Dewar & Sons (Bacardi)
Capacity: about 3,000,000 liters
2 wash stills
3 spirit stills
Water: Gellt Burn
Visitor Center: -
Phone: +44 (0) 1261-812612
Website: -
