Dufftown 2009 Cask #700215 Dram Collection (C & S)

Dufftown, stop number 66 on the SDT, is a Speyside distillery primarily found in blends but with some official releases. This particular bottling comes from independent producers C & S, aged for 7 years (May 6, 2009 - August 17, 2016) in an ex-bourbon barrel. The sample is from bottle 113 of 260 (great transparency!). It's cask strength at 58.8% ABV, non-chill filtered, and has a natural golden straw color. The aroma is heavily influenced by bourbon, featuring minty bourbon-soaked oak, strong cinnamon and nutmeg, with hints of vanilla, candy corn, and cotton candy. The high alcohol content limits other scents until water is added, which then reveals fruit like apples, grapes, pineapple, oranges, and apricots, along with a subtle wood smoke. The taste leans more towards bourbon than scotch, presenting as hot with vanilla, caramel, toffee, and butterscotch notes. Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper are present. Adding a little water brings out honey and barley, with some apple and pear fruitiness. This is recommended for those who prefer bourbon over scotch. It has a full-bodied, very oily, and mouthwatering texture. The finish is medium in length, with bourbon, oak, and cinnamon. I'm not typically fond of scotches that mimic bourbons, as they often lack complexity. While I appreciated the thick, oily mouthfeel, it was too hot and intense to enjoy neat. At $50 for 700mL, it's a good value for a cask strength offering. Regardless of the price, it's not a whisky I'd seek out. Thanks for the sample; I concur with a friend that it works well mixed with cola. Rated 2.75. Cheers

A 7-year-old, cask strength bottling from C & S Dram Collection, given to me by a friend for our Scottish Distillery Tour. It's 58.8% ABV and a pale gold color that leaves long, thin legs. The nose strongly resembles American bourbon, with prominent raw oak, sawdust, and alcohol burn. Only after some time does a faint hint of cinnamon appear. The overwhelming impression is heat. The palate is also very bourbon-like, featuring fresh pine and chopped oak with a strong emphasis on heat. Some cinnamon candy notes are detectable if you can tolerate the burn. The finish is long, hot, and overwhelming. The high alcohol content results in a harsh, dry finish and an unpleasant overall experience. This whisky is not subtle; it's a powerful assault on the senses. A friend compared it to drain cleaner, suggesting its use for that purpose. While I don't think it's quite that bad, there's nothing here to ponder. The remaining liquid would likely be used as a mixer with cola, but straight from the bottle, I can only rate it 2-2.25 stars because it's too aggressive. Thank you for the pour, a friend. Note it and move on. Cheers.

A friend gave me this C&S bottled Dufftown. Past comments were not so glowing. Would it work for me? Wood and alcohol dominate the nose, muffling the honey, white fruit, apricot, and cinnamon notes, resembling cinnamon toast. The mouthfeel is weak. The taste hits with intense heat. After the initial burn, cinnamon spice washes over the tongue. Oak tannins and high alcohol completely dry out the mouth. For just an instant, hints of vanilla and butterscotch sweetness emerge. As the fleeting tastes rush towards the end, a hint of orange bitterness appears at the beginning of the finish. The finish is a long, warm wave of oak and orange peel. Adding water calms the spirit but dilutes all the flavors, making the whisky bland and uninteresting. The intense heat is the most striking aspect of this whisky. The aromas and tastes are present but disorganized and fleeting. This bottling demands effort and perseverance, which a good whisky shouldn't require. It certainly tests the senses. [82/100][Tasted: 3/30/18]

I'm 0 for 3 this week. This is the third sample from our trading group. It tastes like feces. And here's where you'd logically ask, 'How do you know?' Well, yes, I do know, and it wasn't by choice. It's a long story, but basically, did you know monkeys can poop whenever they want, form it into a ball, and throw it with the accuracy of a professional athlete? Yes, a lesson learned during a backpacking trip in my youth. Anyway, this went down the drain. I'm not wasting my liver on it.