Macduff | 100 Proof Edition #3 | Signatory Vintage | 2007/2024 | 16 Jahre | 57,1%

Macduff is a whisky distillery founded in 1960 and located on the coast of the Highlands near the town of Banff. It is also known under the names Glen Deveron and The Deveron, with the name Macduff mainly used by independent bottlers. The distillery was established by a group of whisky brokers, including George Crawford, Brodie Hepburn, James Stirret, and Morty Dyke, to capitalize on the post-World War II whisky boom.

Macduff uses an unusual configuration of five stills (two wash stills and three spirit stills), which contributes to a unique character of the whisky. The stills have upward-angled lyne arms with a right-angled bend that facilitates some reflux, making the whisky fruitier. The whisky often has a nutty note with a hint of sulfur in the new make, enhanced by quick mashing, short fermentation, and cold condensation.

Popular releases include the Deveron 12 Year Old, known for its creamy vanilla and apple notes, and the Deveron 18 Year Old, which offers additional layers of spice and oak. Macduff is also known for its independent bottlings, often marketed under the distillery's name and offering a greater variety of flavor profiles, such as a 45-year-old bottling by Duncan Taylor and a 13-year-old by Gordon & MacPhail.

The history of Macduff is marked by several ownership changes. In 1972, the distillery was acquired by William Lawson Distillers, which later became part of Martini & Rossi and eventually Bacardi. Under Bacardi's leadership, production was further expanded, and Macduff became an important component of the Dewar’s and William Lawson blends. Although most of Macduff’s whisky is used in blends, about 10% of the production is available as single malt, making the brand particularly interesting for whisky enthusiasts.

The distillery uses water from local sources such as the Gelly Burn and produces approximately 2.4 million liters of pure alcohol annually. Macduff whiskies are known for their diverse range of flavors, from fruity and sweet to spicy and slightly salty, making them a versatile choice for connoisseurs.

Signatory Vintage, based in Perthshire, Scotland, is a leading independent bottler known since its founding in 1988 by Andrew Symington for its exquisite and rare Scottish whiskies. With access to approximately 35,000 casks, Signatory offers an impressive range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that highlight the unique properties of each individual cask.

Diverse Premium Quality Offerings

The Signatory Vintage product range includes regular bottlings at 43% alcohol content, a cask strength series, and a non-chill-filtered series. Each of these series is appreciated for their purity and authenticity, as they forego artificial colorants and chill filtration. These practices help preserve the natural taste and color of the whisky, which is particularly popular among connoisseurs.

Preservers of History

A special aspect of Signatory Vintage is their commitment to preserving whiskies from closed distilleries. These bottlings offer enthusiasts the rare opportunity to taste whiskies from a bygone era of whisky production. The acquisition of the Edradour Distillery in 2002 marked another milestone for Signatory Vintage, as they now also oversee the distillation process themselves, thus gaining greater control over production.

Exclusive Bottlings and Collectibles

Among the notable releases are the Cask Strength Collection, which offers whiskies at cask strength, and the Silent Stills series, which includes the last available quantities from no longer existing distilleries. These series are particularly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs looking for extraordinary and limited editions.