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Everything you need to know about Macduff Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Glen Deveron 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 1999£89.99 Inc VAT -
Glen Deveron 8 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky 1980s£134.99 Inc VAT -
Macduff 11 Year Old Highland Whisky 2008 Masters of Magic£89.99 Inc VAT -
Glen Deveron 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky 1980£139.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Macduff, Highlands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1960.
Macduff is a distillery many whisky drinkers know without realising it. That’s because its single malt usually appears under a different name — The Deveron.
Founded in 1960 on the edge of the coastal town of Macduff in Banffshire, the distillery was built during a period when Scotch whisky demand was rising quickly. Its location near the River Deveron provides the water source that helps shape the spirit.
Macduff has long been valued by blenders for its bright, fruit-forward malt, which adds freshness and balance to blends. When bottled as a single malt, the whisky shows a gentle Highland character with soft sweetness and orchard fruit notes.
It’s not a distillery that chases extremes. Instead, Macduff produces approachable whisky that focuses on balance and drinkability.
Taste Profile
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Fruity |
Malty / Cereal | Sweet |
Macduff’s style is bright and approachable. Orchard fruits like apple and pear often lead the way, followed by honeyed sweetness and soft vanilla from oak maturation.
The malt character stays present in the background, giving the whisky a slightly biscuity texture. There’s no peat influence in the core style. Instead, the finish tends to be smooth, lightly sweet, and gently warming.
It’s the kind of whisky that’s easy to enjoy without needing to analyse every sip.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Apple / Pear |
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Honey |
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Malt / Biscuit / Toast |
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Vanilla |
Most Popular Bottles
The Deveron 10 Year Old
Light and approachable, with fruit and honey notes.
The Deveron 12 Year Old
A little richer and more balanced, showing deeper fruit and oak.
The Deveron 18 Year Old
More mature sweetness with polished oak and longer finish.
Independent Macduff Bottlings
Often released under the distillery name, showing more robust character.
Availability in the UK is generally good through the Deveron range.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Macduff Distillery
Address: Banffshire, Scotland, AB44 1UR
 Open in Maps |
 Unavailable |
 +44 (0)1261 812612 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Macduff does not operate a regular public visitor centre, and tours are not widely available.
Ownership History
Founder
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William Lawson Distillers Ltd (1960)
Current Owner
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Bacardi Limited
Macduff became part of the Bacardi portfolio through the acquisition of John Dewar & Sons.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Macduff Distillery is located on the River Deveron in Aberdeenshire and was founded in 1960. It was built during the post-war expansion of Scotch whisky production when demand for blended whisky was increasing globally.
Although the distillery itself is called Macduff, its single malt is typically marketed under the name The Deveron, referencing the nearby river. Today, the distillery is owned by John Dewar & Sons, part of Bacardi.
Most of the whisky produced at Macduff continues to be used within blends, particularly Dewar’s.
Production
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Spirit Type: Single malt Scotch whisky
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Stills: Five copper pot stills with distinctive downward-sloping lyne arms
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Water Source: River Deveron
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Cask Policy: Predominantly ex-bourbon with some sherry maturation
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Primary Role: Blending stock for Dewar’s blended Scotch
The unusual lyne arm design increases copper contact and influences the spirit’s character, producing a slightly oily and structured new make.
Whisky Style
Macduff / The Deveron whiskies typically show:
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Medium-bodied texture
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Honey and vanilla sweetness
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Fresh orchard fruit (apple, pear)
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Light malt and cereal notes
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Gentle oak spice
Compared to many Speyside malts, the profile can show a slightly nuttier, more structured character.
Key Expressions
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The Deveron 10 Year Old – Entry-level official bottling
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The Deveron 12 Year Old – Balanced bourbon-cask maturation
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The Deveron 18 Year Old – Deeper oak and dried fruit complexity
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Independent Macduff cask-strength releases
Independent bottlers frequently release whisky under the distillery name Macduff.
Significance
Macduff plays an important role in the structure of Dewar’s blended Scotch, providing a reliable malt backbone.
Its unusual still configuration and slightly richer Speyside profile have made it a favourite among independent bottlers. While not one of the most heavily marketed single malts, it is widely respected within the industry for the character and consistency of its spirit.
Macduff Whisky to Buy
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Secure delivery across the UK. Excludes Highlands & Islands.
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