4 Dufftown tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

Dufftown 12yo 40% OB "Singleton of..."

I believe that Singleton doesn't really have anything to do with what kind of whisky, as I've also tried Singleton of Auchroisk and there are no obvious similarities between the two. So anyway, its just a regular 12yo OB then. Smells very full-bodied, aromatic, vanilla, cranberries, leather, oak and orange marmalade. The taste is undeniably lighter, a bit oaky, after eight, bourbony and floral. The aftertaste is short and reminds me somewhat of some OB Glengoynes I've tried, Tamnavulin?

A nice malt but far from generous tastewise: 4.5



Dufftown 10yo 40% OB

One from back in the days, I guess a late 70's or early 80's bottling. This one stands a bit apart from the last two as it has some quite expressive scents. There's white wine, club soda, pistachio and spices. The taste follows up very well. This is an old-fashioned whisky with a nice maltiness, some dried fuitiness and smoke. The aftertaste is kind of short and doesn't bring much to the table, but other than that it's a perfectly swell dram.

A nice old bottling: 6.5



Dufftown 8yo 40% OB

Another one from back in the 80's. An austere nose, not much to get excited about, just like any cheap blend. The taste is once again very rancid, bad spirits all the way, only thing saving it is a slight burning sensation right after swallowing. Actually, the aftertaste isn't that bad, it's quite alright and reminds me of some of the younger versions from this distillery. But other than that it's kind of off.

I guess it's a victim of it's time: 2.5



Dufftown 18yo 1979-1997 46% Murray McDavid

A very dark sherried malt from this little talked about distillery. Seriously oaky and nutty odors here, very exciting. Its very dry, phenol, really really sherried, but no sweetness at all. It's so dry it seems a bit lifeless, maybe some water will do some good. Indeed it's good, and it gets a bit sweet and some sour fruits. This wasn't bad at all, but I think a higher abv would do it very good.

If you like a real sherry-monster: 5.5

3 Blair Athols tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

Blair Athol 21yo 46% Cadenhead's

Another bourbon-matured highlander, this time from Cadenhead's, I have had some good experiences with Blair Athol, but I have to admit I'm kind of on unknown territory on this one. Colour is intense yellow, almost green. It smells grassy, sweet, vanilla, applejuice and liquorice. The taste is fantastic, sweet, vanilla, lemon, sugary, malt syrup, pepper and unripe red apples. The aftertaste is peppery, a bit dry and very sweet, grape juice.
A bit of water gives it an even more round flavour.

Blair Athol, anything but your usual malt: 9



Blair Athol 8yo 40% Arthur Bell & Co

A bottling from the 70's, slightly evaporated. A soft and refreshing nose, woodlands. A very nice and smoky, mild cheddary taste. It's a classic light-smoky and easy drinking malt, actually it's far better than the new F&F bottlings by Diageo from this distillery. The aftertaste is like sauna air, hot and oaky.

Good stuff from the old days: 6



Blair Athol 12yo 43% OB Flora and Fauna

Blair Athol doesn't bring much single malts to the market, so this is interesting. The odors are very rich and strong, lots of good sweetness, like in some tawny ports. Seems sophisticated. The taste extends my first impression for a while, then goes over in a more woody and burnt notion. Give a bit water and I find a bitter smokiness coming on.

Different in many ways: 6.5