Dufftown distillery

Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

In recent years fermentation has been lengthened, the wort runs clear and a grassy new make is made. This is down to the needs of Diageo’s blenders.  

Map
  • Region
    Speyside
  • Production type
    Single malt
  • Distillery Status
    Working
  • Brands produced here
    The Singleton

Dufftown History

One of a number of distilleries which started as a mill, Dufftown started producing whisky in 1896 for its owner, the blending firm Mackenzie & Co (which already owned Blair Athol). It became part of Arthur Bell & Sons in 1933 and was a key player within that blender’s estate, increasing its stills to eight by 1979 – currently there are six.

Bell’s also built the neighbouring Pittyvaich distillery in 1975 (it was run more or less as Dufftown 2) to cater for the rise in demand for its blend. Pittyvaich closed in 1993 and was demolished in 2002. Bell’s was bought by Guinness in 1985 and two years later Diageo was formed.

Until the opening of Roseisle, Dufftown was Diageo’s largest distillery. In 2006, it joined the Singleton family (alongside Glendullan and Glen Ord) with its market being, predominantly, UK and Europe.

Timeline

  • 1895 The Dufftown-Glenlivet distillery is built within a former mill by Peter Mackenzie, Richard Stackpole, John Symon and Charles Macpherson
  • 1896 The distillery begins production
  • 1897 Glenlivet-Dufftown falls under the ownership of P.Mackenzie & Co
  • 1933 The distillery becomes part of Arthur Bell & Sons' portfolio
  • 1968 Dufftown undergoes a refurbishment – its stills are increased from two to four while its floor maltings are decommissioned
  • 1974 The distillery's stills are increased again to six
  • 1975 Bell's builds the Pittyvaich distillery next door to produce malt for its blend
  • 1979 A further two stills are added, bringing the total to eight
  • 1985 Arthur Bell & Sons is purchased by Guinness
  • 1993 Pittyvaich is closed. The building is finally demolished in 2002
  • 1997 Guinness merges with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo
  • 2006 The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old is launched in travel retail
  • 2014 The Singleton Tailfire and Sunray are launched

Dufftown Facts

  • Condenser Type i
    Shell and tube
  • Fermentation Time i
    75hrs
  • Filling Strength i
    63.5%
  • Grist Weight (t) i
    13
  • Heat Source i
    Steam
  • Malt Specification i
    Non peated
  • Malt Supplier i
    Mainly in house
  • Mash Tun Type i
    Lauter
  • New-make Phenol Level i
    Non peaty
  • New-make Strength i
    67-68%
  • Spirit Still Charge (l) i
    15,300
  • Spirit Still Shape i
    Plain
  • Stills i
    6
  • Wash Still Charge (l) i
    12,000
  • Wash Still Shape i
    Plain
  • Washback Type i
    Steel
  • Washbacks i
    12
  • Water Source i
    Jock's Well, Conval Hills Spring
  • Wort Clarity i
    Clear
  • Yeast Type i
    Creamed

Owners

Current owner

Previous owners

Contact

Address
Dufftown Distillery
Dufftown
Moray
AB55 4BR
United Kingdom
Phone
+44 1340 822100
Visitor Opening Hours
Not open to the public

Map

See also

  • Auchroisk Auchroisk Auchroisk Distillery & brand

    Auchroisk

    One of Diageo’s ‘nutty-spicy’ sites.

  • Benrinnes Benrinnes Benrinnes Distillery & brand

    Benrinnes

    A highly individual Speyside whisky.

  • Blair Athol Blair Athol Blair Athol Distillery & brand

    Blair Athol

    The home of Bell's blended whisky.

  • Caol Ila Caol Ila Caol Ila Distillery & brand

    Caol Ila

    Islay distillery belonging to Diageo.

Scroll To Top