Macduff 2000 Archives Review


Country: Scotland 
Region: Speyside
Brand: Macduff 2000 (Whiskybase Archives)
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 11 Years
ABV:  48.2 %
Date: 12/03/2013

Colour: Light Gold/Straw

Nose: Not the most exciting of Speyside Noses I have come across so far. There's Sherry, Sulphur, Dried Fruits, Oak, Sweet Malt, Honey, Brown Sugar, Wet Cardboard and Pineapple. Hints of Leather, Beef and Tobacco. This doesn't do a lot for me I'm afraid.

Palate: Better than I expected after Nosing but still a bit on the Thin Side despite the high ABV. The Sherry and Sulphur are still there together with some English Marmalade, Pepper, Malt, Oat-Meal, Lemon, Licorice and hints of Leather and Tobacco.

Finish: Middle-Long with Malt, Pepper, Mint and slightly bitter Wood.

I added a bit of Water but I don't perceive important changes, neither positive or negative. You can certainly play with a bit of Water here.

Rating:  79 (out of 100)
Nose: 19.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 19.5 - Overall: 19.5


General Remarks: The Macduff Distillery in Banff on the edge of the Speyside area was created by Glen Deveron Distillers Ltd in 1960 and was acquired by Bacardi in 1990. The Single Malt from this distillery is officially called Glen Deveron but sometimes independent Bottlers market whisky from this distillery under the name Macduff. The malt is used in the William Lawson's blend. The Macduff we are tasting here is the Fourth Release, distilled in November 2000 and bottled by Archives in May 2012. This specific dram matured in Refill Sherry Cask # 5803 of which 90 bottles were drawn. It is uncoloured, un-chillfiltered and bottled at Cask Strength. It costs around 70 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: I must confess I didn't like the Macduff 2000 a lot. The Sulphur is pretty strong and otherwise not much is happening. Bulk Malt for simple Blends but not exciting enough as a Single Malt. Can't recommend this.

Jan van den Ende                                                                       March 2013

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