June 18, 2014

The Short Sessions, two opposite Dufftown

The Singleton of Dufftown 'Sunray' (40%, OB, 2014)

NAS, entirely aged in American oak casks and more expensive than the 12. Welcome to the modern whisky world – but let’s try to remain fair. Colour: gold. Nose: toasted oak and light honey, raisins and overripe apples. Hints of stout and ale, perhaps. Then more honey. It’s nice, of course it’s nice, it just leaves you a little cold. But blend drinkers will like it, it’s certainly a well-made ‘access category’ malt whisky. Mouth: its honey and apple juice. Very sweet, extremely easy, malty, with a little praline, apple pie and several kinds of pastries. Bits of oranges as well. I’m afraid it’s rather good, if not very interesting. Finish: a little short but rounded, malty, with some vanilla, some malt and some honey. Comments: it’s not got the old Dufftowns’ very specific fruitiness, but I find it better than the 12. More body, a better presence… Certainly a good choice after the 12 yo blends. SGP:541 - 78 points.

Dufftown 30 yo 1984/2014 (50.8%, Malts of Scotland, cask # MoS 1414, 124 bottles)

Let’s see if its really ‘the opposite’. Colour: pale gold. Nose: reeks of sweet oak at first nosing, with a lot of honeydew, coconut, vanilla and cinnamon rolls, while notes of beer are singing in the background. Which, indeed, reminds us of the Sunray. Becomes slightly acetic after a few minutes. Cider vinegar, this should go away with a little water... With water: indeed, that aspect went away, leaving more room for notes of tinned peaches and acacia honey. Phew! Mouth (neat): very strange. Bourbon and herbal liqueurs! The oak’s really big, but it works just like spices and does not dry up your tongue. With water: it’s still got notes of rye, sweet herbs and spices, pomegranates and blood oranges. A little ginger liqueur too, bitters... Finish: medium. A little pepper plus blood oranges. Comments: not a gentle Dufftown. The cask had much to tell. SGP:451 - 84 points.

Check the index of all Dufftown I've tasted so far