Although the name Miltonduff is not heard often as a single malt, it is a high-capacity distillery and considered the most important component of the Ballantine’s blend. It’s one of the key plants in the Chivas / Pernod Ricard group. Gordon & MacPhail has semi-official bottlings of Miltonduff such as a regular 10 years old.
As you know, the Lonach series by Duncan Taylor blends one or more underproof casks with stronger sister casks to reach the required 40% limit. As the result is still cask strength, it’s much richer than a cask that has been diluted to the same 40%.
Miltonduff 37 yo 1971
(40%, Duncan Taylor Lonach 2008)
Nose: beautiful round Speyside elements. Very sophisticated. Big vanilla, some very sweet pineapple, banana and lovely hints of marshmallows! Light bubblegum. Some honey. Orange gums and cinnamon. Polished oak.
Mouth: light but not too soft. Again quite a sweet profile with yellow apples and citrus candy. Pollen and honey. A fair amount of spices from the oak (soft pepper, cinnamon). Some sawdust towards the end.
Finish: medium long, on barley sugars, oranges and oak.
This Miltonduff is simply a succulent Speyside whisky. It’s a bit reticent maybe, but very warm and I adore those marshmallow notes! If only
I could find a bottle somewhere. It was around € 120 at the time.
Score: 92/100