The Deveron

The Deveron is a single malt Scotch whisky from the Macduff distillery, located on the northeast coast of Scotland, in the town of Banff at the mouth of the River Deveron. Although Macduff was established in the 1960s and is therefore one of the younger distilleries, its whisky under the The Deveron brand has established itself as an accessible, smooth and pleasantly fruity single malt.

The Macduff distillery was founded in 1960 by a group of local entrepreneurs. At a time when most distilleries in Speyside and the Highlands already had a century-long tradition, it was a relatively new project. The distillery was built on the North Sea coast, near the town of Banff, and named after the nearby River Deveron, which flows into the sea at Macduff.

Over the decades, it changed owners several times. In the 1970s, it was acquired by William Lawson, which used the brand primarily for blends (especially William Lawson's Scotch). It is currently owned by Bacardi and belongs to the John Dewar & Sons group, which also includes other single malt brands such as Aberfeldy, Aultmore, and Craigellachie.

Macduff is a modern distillery with five stills, which allow for flexible production. The Deveron whisky is produced using traditional methods, but with an emphasis on smoothness and accessibility.

Maturation takes place mainly in bourbon oak barrels, which gives the whisky a vanilla sweetness with honey and fruit tones. The style is rather smooth, malty and fruity, without any significant peat, which distinguishes it from the more famous island whiskies.

Portfolio:
The Deveron 10 Year Old – the basic edition, very smooth and accessible.
The Deveron 12 Year Old – the best-known version, often recommended as an introductory single malt for beginners.
The Deveron 18 Year Old – more complex, with richer tones of honey, nuts, and vanilla.

These editions were rebranded in 2015 with a modern look, with the bottle design emphasizing the connection to the sea and the northern Scottish coast.

The Macduff distillery is one of the few Scottish distilleries with five stills, which allows for more variable distillation. For many years, Macduff whisky was used almost exclusively in blends (William Lawson's) until Bacardi began actively marketing it as a single malt under the name The Deveron. The region where the distillery is located is less well known than Speyside or Islay, but this is precisely what gives The Deveron its "mysterious" image and reputation as a hidden gem.

The Deveron is a single malt whisky that offers a smooth, accessible, and refreshing experience. It is ideal for those looking for a fresh, fruity alternative to distinctive peaty or heavier whiskies. Although it is one of the younger brands, its clean coastal style and connection to the River Deveron have made it a respected member of the Scottish single malt family.