Whiskey_Hound
The Deveron 12 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
January 11, 2025 (edited February 7, 2025)
My last review was for the Singleton 12, which is a Diageo blend-workhorse. Now I’m hopping over to one of my Bacardi’s choice distilleries for Dewars products. So I’m going to treat this review in a similar manner and try to determine how Macduff Distillery can stand on its own merits.
Nose: Almond, cashew, and walnut. Sawdust. Malt, toffee, caramel. Unripe banana.
Palate: Vanilla, caramel, and toffee. Roasted nuts. Almond, walnut, cashew. Golden raisin. Green grape. Honey. Malt. Fig. Sugar cookie.
Finish: Sugar cookie, vanilla, and toffee. More of the walnut, almond, cashew. Caramel. White pepper and oak. Clove and nutmeg. Short finish.
Writing notes for the nose was a struggle. Very weak. The palate was fine and the finish was about the same. This is unable to hit its mark at 40% ABV. The flavor is unable to make its presence known. What I am able to detect is very pleasant, but the emphasis here is the subtlety.
2.25/5. Macduff needs to beef this up. But as of right now, I know the primary function of their malt is blending for Dewars. Still, the Singleton 12 proves that what the distillery keeps for itself can be presented with character. And Caol Ila proves it can be done wott to excellence. $48 is way too high for this one. Skip it.
48.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Whiskey_Hound No, I have not had the OB 18. It does not seem to be available in our market, or if it was it was just one allocation a while ago. I do have a bottle of Glen Deveron 16 "Royal Burgh" that also comes from Macduff. It has received mixed reviews but I found it for small change on an auction site so took a chance.
I think the fact that we have the option to assign ratings with our reviews can sometimes make us jaded. When I read back on this review, I feel I may have been a bit harsh—lol. It’s a perfectly fine whisky. And as you say, it’s a summer sipper. Maybe it doesn’t have the makings for a thorough, midwinter review. But I certainly wouldn’t complain about having this one as my go-to at an open bar. I also picked up a bottle of their 18 recently. Haven’t opened it yet, but I’m looking forward to giving The Deveron another crack Have you had the 18 yet? @cascode
@Whiskey_Hound I rather liked this when I last tried it a couple of years ago, but solely as a very relaxed, easy summer sipper. It's a great "around-the-pool" whisky and just hefty enough to mix, but yes if it was turned up a notch it would be a lot better. It's odd that they don't have an OB premium offering from Macduff. I have had an old SMWS bottling that was very good indeed so the spirit is capable.