Glendullan sits on the River Fiddich outside Dufftown, a Speyside neighbour of Mortlach, Balvenie and Glenfiddich. The original distillery was built in 1897 by William Williams and Sons; a second Glendullan was constructed alongside it in 1972, and the two worked in tandem until the old distillery was mothballed in 1985. Today's Glendullan is effectively that newer plant, a quietly efficient producer of Speyside malt for Diageo's blending halls.
When Diageo assigned the three Singleton distilleries to their respective markets, Glendullan drew North America. Unlike Glen Ord in Asia and Dufftown in Europe, it was the last of the three to join the range, but the commercial logic was the same: an approachable Speyside single malt aimed at drinkers stepping up from blends.
The 15 year old is the house style in its most polished form. Matured in a combination of refill and ex-bourbon oak with a supporting hand of European wood, it delivers the orchard-fruit-and-honey profile that Speyside does so well, with just enough age to carry a little oak-spice depth. It is clean, well-balanced and entirely undemanding.
Bottled at 40% ABV, this is whisky as friendly company rather than conversation piece. For the American drinker reaching beyond Johnnie Walker for the first time, it is a gentle and rewarding introduction to what Speyside single malt can offer.
