Cuvée presentation
Small batch Macduff, distilled in 1965 and bottled in 1994. Cadenhead’s was founded in Aberdeen in 1842 by George Duncan. William Cadenhead later joined the company and, following Duncan’s death, took over the business and renamed it William Cadenhead Ltd. William’s nephew, Robert Duthie, expanded the business in the early 20th century, and it remained family-owned until 1969, when William Cadenhead Ltd was sold to J. & A. Mitchell and Co., owner of Springbank distillery. Hedley G. Wright, a direct descendant of Archibald and John Mitchell, subsequently became chairman of William Cadenhead Ltd. Historically, Cadenhead focused on its own brands, including Putachieside, The Hielanman, Seven Stars and its Green Label rums. Under Hedley G. Wright, however, the company increasingly turned its attention to single malts, leading to the launch of the now legendary “dumpy bottle” series in 1977. These single malts were bottled with only light filtration, no artificial colouring and at what was then a relatively high strength of 80 proof (45.7%). Their labels provided extensive details, including the month and year of distillation and bottling and whether or not sherry casks had been used. Also in 1977, the company moved to new premises in Aberdeen before eventually relocating to Campbeltown. During the 1980s, Cadenhead also supplied casks to renowned independent bottlers such as Samaroli and Corti Brothers through its subsidiary Duthie’s. Two new ranges followed in 1991 and 1992: the Original Collection, bottled at 46%, and the Authentic Collection, bottled at cask strength. Further special releases marking major Cadenhead anniversaries, including its 150th and 175th, as well as new ranges such as Small Batch and World Whiskies, have followed over the years.
The distillery Macduff
Macduff was founded in 1960 by Glasgow broker Brodie Hepburn in partnership with Marty Dyke and George Crawford. In 1972, the distillery was bought by William Lawson, a subsidiary of Martini Rossi. Staying true to Italy’s taste for young whiskies, two single malts—one a 5 year old, the other an 8 year old—were released under the name Glen Deveron. In 1993, Martini merged with Bacardi, and Macduff became the property of John Dewar & Sons. The Glen Deveron brand was discontinued. Today, the whisky produced at Macduff continues to be used mainly for William Lawson, but The Deveron brand has also been relaunched. Several bottlings are also found among independent bottlers under the name Macduff.
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