Miltonduff distillery is located in Elgin, Speyside and was founded in 1824 by Robert Bain & Andrew Peary, although this date is shortly after the legalisation of whisky production and rumours exist suggesting it was previously operating illegally.

William Stuart bought Miltonduff in  1866 and kept it until 1895 when Thomas Yool & Co. took over part of the business. They immediately expanded the distillery and eventually they took over the whole distillery.

In 1936 Miltnduff was bought by Hiram Walker - Gooderhan & Worts Ltd.

Just one year before buying Miltonduff Hiram Walker had acquired George Ballantine & Son and suddenly needed production capacity in Scotland due to their competitors not wishing to supply them with whisky for blending.

Two Lomond stills were installed in 1964 and were used to produce "Mosstowie" whisky but were removed in 1981. It's also worth noting that George Ballantine & Son (company) was the developer of the Lomond Still design.

When the Lomond stills were removed they were replaced by more pot stills to increase the production of Miltonduff whisky.

In 1986 Allied purchased a majority of Hiram Walker shares and a year later they acquired the remainder. Pernod Ricard acquired Allied in 2005.

More great distillery information here thanks to Malt Madness.

My thanks to Teun van Wel for permission to copy & use the distillery photos

  General whisky characteristics: Complex and floral with perfume notes

Milton Duff, 12y, 43% ABV

Late 1980's bottling with green label and tube

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Nose: Malt and some fresh herbs, with an emphasis on the freshness.

Palate: Delightfully soft and smooth with some very gentle hints of creamy toffee. Thankfully, the finish is really quite long and persistent; in fact I would be happy for it to stay around all day long!

Overall Impression: Wow, I love this whisky, possibly and unbelievably, even more so than the earlier brown tube bottling (see below).

Whisky & Chocolate: This great Milton Duff in combination with the Lavendar praline by Franz was Sublime with the herbs, toffee & lavendar merging into perfection on the palate and the finish is lengthened even more.

Milton Duff, 12y, 43% ABV

Early 1980's bottling with clear label and brown tube

Typical cost of this bottle; Now €€€€€ to €€€€€

Nose: Immediately very complex, with malt, fresh herbs, almost mint-like (but not quite) and very floral.

Palate: The first sip is gentle malt. But upon swallowing it comes back with an explosion of spicy flavours, a delayed reaction! This explosion hits the front of the tongue, which I find rather strange, very pleasant, but very different as it seems to totally miss the back of the tongue. The actual flavour is very much a re-inforcement of the nose. No fruit, but malty and quite floral, although I can't identify individual flowers in there. If anything, there is a slight hint of violet.

Overall impression: A lovely dram, one which I would love to find a secret stash of and keep for personal drinking. I expected little from this one, especially as I acquired it at an excellent price a few years ago. What I get from it is a magnificent surprise and yes, I will look out for more and buy them if they are not too expensive now.

BBR, MiltonDuff, 1998-2011, 57% ABV

Berry's Own Selection, Cask 3605

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light oak.

Nose: Light malt with lots of biscuit type aromas, both oatmeal and plain "morning coffee" types.

Palate: Much more happening on the palate with toffee, hints of caramel (not in a bad way, much like a sweet shop) and something which I can only describe as meaty and slightly herbal. Perhaps roast beef with a herb crust?

Finish: Long and only slowly fading

Overall Impression: The nose is slightly weak but I love that palate.

Blackadder, MiltonDuff, 13y, 5.3.1998-Aug. 2011, 61.4% ABV

"Riverstown" series, Hogshead Cask 3603, bottle No.323 of 324

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€ to €€€€€

Reviewed as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Pale yellow gold.

Nose: Very aromatic leafy bread dough being left to rise. This intensifies with time in the glass but is also joined by a suggestion of light malt and hay.

Palate: Much more lively than the nose with suggestions of peppery malt, banana stem and baked green apple. There's even a very floral hint of spring flowers.

Finish: Medium and light with lots of floral malt.

Overall Impression: Once again a slightly weak nose but excellent palate.

Sestante, Milton Duff, 21y, 43% ABV

"Pluscarden Valley"

Typical cost of this bottle; Unknown, now a collectible

Live Dram-atics review

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Oak

Nose: Filled initially with a subtle woodiness before hints of amaretto and aromatic raisins take over. It turns slightly dry and lightly perfumed in a herb crust kind of way.

Palate: Most of what was on the nose personnified, but still in a quite subtle way as gentle amaretto, light raisins and just a hint of perfumed herb crust caress the palate.

Finish: A long and refreshingly light delight

Overall Impression: This may be one of my more concise reviews but make no mistake, this is a very good whisky. I personally find Milton Duff to be quite hit and miss, this is definitely a hit.

Mosstowie

Mosstowie was distilled in Lomond stills at MiltonDuff distillery between 1964-81.

G&M, Mosstowie, 1979-2001, 40% ABV

Connoisseur's Choice

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Glowing amber

Nose: Very slightly phenolic with a rich cocktail of herbs, sherry and rum.

Palate: Slightly watery mouth-feel, but a great mixture of rich dark fruits, wood, sherry and yes, a slight hint of rum.

Finish: Medium to long, rich and slightly dry.

Overall Impression: A great flavour-bomb, but in my opinion it's slightly let down by only being 40%. If this were around 46-50% it would be magnificent.