Malts of Scotland Images of Dufftown 24 Year Old 1988 Clock Tower

It is hard to discover the identity of the distillery in the new range by Malts of Scotland, named Images. The Kildalton Cross clearly referred to (and tasted like) Ardbeg, but this Clock Tower from Dufftown is surrounded by quite a few distilleries. OK, we can exclude the inactive ones (Convalmore, Parkmore, Pittyviach). Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie are also improbable, I think. That leaves Mortlach, Glendullan and Dufftown. I am curious.

The nose is a little fruit bomb with pineapple, peach, mango and even a touch of kiwi. A bit smoky from the wood, albeit very soft. Some woodspice with mostly cinnamon. Nice vanilla, too. Fudge, even, that makes it a tad creamy. Very pleasant. With water it gets a slightly metallic aroma.

The attack is very spicy and honeysweet, but quickly a huge dollop of citrus kicks in, giving it a sourish edge. Again the smokiness from the oak is there, much louder than on the nose. But the palate has lost the somewhat tropical character of the nose. Diluted it becomes a tad sharp, which is not an improvement.

In the long, peppery finish, its all citrus that rings my bell.

At first I thought this was Dufftown, but now I am more inclinded to say it is a Glenfiddich. I hear whispers to that effect left and right. Anyway, this is a very good Speysider, provided you do not drown it. Around 115 EUR.