Dufftown 37 Year Old 1978 Single Cask

Cadenhead enjoys the privilege of actually putting the suffix ‘Glenlivet’ to many of their releases. That has nothing to do with that specific distillery, but with the region whence it came. This is an older release from Dufftown, distilled in 1978 and bottled a few years ago in their so-called Single Cask Series. Nowhere to be found nowadays and if you do stumble across one, it will prove quite unaffordable.

Oh, my, what a grand nose! Wonderfully fresh on spring blossoms, orange peel, young apples, vanilla and marzipan, but with a lovely old school touch that reminds me of old books and a leather sofa. Honey, hazelnuts, tiger balm. Grand!

A bit creamy on the palate. Immediately sweet and sour on mandarin, orange peel and caramel. Somewhat waxy. A marmalade of stewed fruit. Nice wood spices. Suddenly apricots and pears kick in, but it’s orange juice that captures most of your attention. Cointreau on steroids in my glass, but it works like a charm. This is heavenly.

The finish is very long on orange zest, woodsmoke and soft bitterness. Lightly drying. Leather at the death.

What a grand whisky indeed. I’ve only had 12 encounters with Dufftown so far. This proves that 13 isn’t always unlucky, eh? My best Dufftown so far.

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