Macduff 20 Years - The Observatory
The Observatory 20 years is from the signature series of the bottler of the same name. Belonging to the Bacardi Group, this Single Grain Scotch whisky was created by the master blender of the Aberfeldy distillery Stephanie Macleod.It is believed that the single grain was distilled at the MacDuff distillery in the Scottish Highlands near the lighthouse in Banff Bay. The whisky was stored for 20 full years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The long storage period is said to make the whisky particularly soft and pleasantly complex.
The panel
Mean 70.0 · spread 2
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- Macduff
- Type
- Single Grain Whisky
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 20 years
- Strength
- 40% ABV
- Character
- mellow
Tasting
Nose
A very sweet and vanilla note greets the nose. Later, lemon curd and spicy oak follow in the background. Surprisingly, we also perceive a sharp ethanol note. Slightly sour aromas support the composition, which is reminiscent of a sponge cake roll.
Palate
Foam sugar and marshmallows dominate the taste. Rounded off by a present oaky component, the Single Grain is very delicate. The whole thing is sweetened by a fair amount of forest honey.
Finish
The medium-long finish is vanilla, spicy and slightly bitter.
Verdicts
Marcel
The Macduff 20 Year pleasantly surprises with its sweet vanilla note and playful marshmallow flavor – a delight that’s fun to drink, though it lacks a bit of depth. For under 20 euros, it’s a charming companion offering straightforward drinking pleasure without being overly complex.
Sascha
A well-structured single grain with a clear balance between sweet vanilla tones, spicy oak, and a slight bitterness on the finish. The 20 years of maturation are evident, yet in terms of complexity and smoothness, the Macduff 20 Year could have shown a bit more character.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.