Dufftown Distillery: History, Owner, Range and Visitor Guide
Updated: 1 day ago
Dufftown distillery makes one of the most accessible Speyside single malts under The Singleton of Dufftown name. Founded as Dufftown-Glenlivet in 1895, it became important to Bell's blended whisky and is now owned by Diageo. Here is its history, the 12, 15 and 18 Year Old single malts, visitor details and links to nearby whisky producers.
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Dufftown at a glance
Distillery fact | Dufftown |
|---|---|
Location | Dufftown, Moray, Speyside, Scotland |
Founded | 1895; production commenced 1896 |
Original name | Dufftown-Glenlivet |
Owner | Diageo |
Historic blending role | Bell's blended Scotch |
Production | Six stills, twelve steel washbacks and non-peated malt |
Current single malt brand | The Singleton of Dufftown |
Visitor tours | Not regularly open to the public |
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Where is Dufftown Distillery?
Dufftown, Moray, Speyside, Scotland. This region contains several historic whisky producers with very different styles.
Dufftown history and ownership
The original distillery was constructed in a former mill in 1895 by Peter Mackenzie and associates, and began making whisky in 1896. It was first known as Dufftown-Glenlivet, reflecting its position in an increasingly busy whisky-producing region.
Arthur Bell & Sons acquired Dufftown in 1933. Stills increased from two to four in 1968, to six in 1974 and then eight in 1979, before later operations returned to six. Bell's also constructed the adjacent Pittyvaich distillery in 1975; Pittyvaich closed in 1993 and its buildings were demolished.
Corporate ownership passed through Guinness after 1985 to Diageo in 1997. A Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old joined The Singleton range in 2006; Tailfire and Sunray followed as special expressions in 2014.
How Dufftown whisky is made
Dufftown uses non-peated malt, a lauter mash tun, approximately 75-hour fermentation and six stills. The water source is associated with Jock's Well in the Conval Hills. These details are reported in specialist production records rather than being a guarantee that every operating parameter is fixed.
The Singleton of Dufftown is a smooth, fruit-forward style. Diageo describes slow fermentation and gentle distillation across the wider Singleton family. Maturation incorporates American and European oak casks, combining vanilla and honey with nutty, fruit and spice character.
What makes Dufftown distinctive?
The Singleton is not made at one distillery: The Singleton of Dufftown, The Singleton of Glendullan and The Singleton of Glen Ord identify three separate sites. Check the full distillery name on the label before comparing flavours or logging a bottle in your collection.
Dufftown whisky range and bottle comparison
The following expressions are listed by the producer or its official catalogue; exact bottle availability and market packaging change over time.
Whisky expression | Age | Listed ABV | Maturation / wood |
|---|---|---|---|
12 Year Old | 12 years | 40% | American and European oak maturation |
15 Year Old | 15 years | 40% | American and European oak maturation |
18 Year Old | 18 years | 40% | Carefully selected American and European oak casks |
21 Year Old | 21 years | 43% | PX and Oloroso oak, refill bourbon, harmonised in European oak |
25 Year Old | 25 years | 43% | European oak and refill bourbon; married in American oak |
Official / producer tasting descriptions
These nose, palate and finish notes are adapted from available producer descriptions or specialist release information. They are not Whisky Clan tasting scores.
Bottle | Producer nose | Producer palate | Producer finish |
|---|---|---|---|
The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old | Toasted nuts, rich fruit and malt | Blackcurrant, brown sugar and coffee | Clean, crisp and slightly drying |
The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old | Toffee apples, honeycomb and ripe fruit | Oaty malt, fresh fruit, light floral spice | Pears, biscuits and aniseed |
The Singleton of Dufftown 18 Year Old | Stewed apricots, nuts and vanilla toffee | Rich toffee, dark nuts, gentle mint and cocoa | Oak spice and stewed-fruit sweetness |
The Singleton of Dufftown 21 Year Old | Sherry-soaked peaches and fresh ginger | Treacle toffee, burnt orange and bramble fruit | Long and dry |
The Singleton of Dufftown 25 Year Old | Tropical fragrances and fruit | Pear, pineapple and passionfruit | Sweet fruit and wood spice |
Dufftown bottle photograph
Rare, limited and special releases
The Singleton of Dufftown also includes older 21 and 25 Year Old expressions and releases such as Malt Master's Selection, Tailfire and Sunray. Individual availability changes, and older limited bottlings should not be treated as guaranteed current stock.
Dufftown awards and recognition
Diageo's current product listings identify 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold and International Spirits Challenge Gold for the Singleton of Dufftown 15 and 18 Year Old. These are dated, bottle-specific awards rather than an assessment of every Singleton expression.
Where to buy Dufftown whisky
Availability differs across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. The product and distillery sources below are intended to help you identify the exact release rather than imply any retailer has confirmed live stock. Check the bottle's age, ABV, edition, and distribution market before purchasing.
Visiting Dufftown Distillery
The working Dufftown distillery is not normally open to the public. For a tour of a distillery in the same town, consult the official Glenfiddich and Balvenie visitor pages. The Singleton's bookable visitor home is at Glen Ord near Muir of Ord, not at Dufftown.
Explore other distilleries in Speyside
Continue exploring the whisky regions with these nearby and related Whisky Clan guides:
Glenfiddich — Compare its whisky style, history and bottle range
Balvenie — Compare its whisky style, history and bottle range
Kininvie — Compare its whisky style, history and bottle range
Mortlach — Compare its whisky style, history and bottle range
Glendullan — Compare its whisky style, history and bottle range
Aberlour — Compare its whisky style, history and bottle range
Help us improve this distillery guide
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Frequently asked questions about Dufftown
Is Dufftown a town or a distillery?
Both. Dufftown is a Speyside town with several whisky distilleries, and Dufftown Distillery itself is a Diageo-owned plant that produces The Singleton of Dufftown.
Who owns Dufftown Distillery?
Diageo owns the distillery. Its earlier owners included Arthur Bell & Sons and Guinness.
What is the difference between The Singleton of Dufftown and Glendullan?
They are single malts from different distilleries sharing The Singleton brand. The bottle label identifies the producing distillery.
Can you visit Dufftown Distillery?
Not on a regular public tour. Glenfiddich and Balvenie provide established visitor experiences elsewhere in Dufftown.
Which Dufftown single malt should I try first?
The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old is the approachable starting point. The 15 and 18 Year Old offer progressively mature flavour profiles.
Sources and image credits
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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