Malted Shopping Guide #1: The Whisky Shop Dufftown

I Know. I am doing it again. Can’t help myself. Seriously. But hey, there’s nothing wrong about introducing a new series of articles around here right? (Or is there? Because I remember this other time… I thought it would be a series and then I lost interest and… Oh well, that happens – And yet again I’m reaching this point where I’d like to insert an old-school French saying but just can’t ’cause only a small percentage of you will get it… Oops feel like way too much bracketed chit-chat).

Anyway, you know me now, I’ve never hidden my shopping addiction around here, and thus, this addiction lead me to visit quite a few whisky shops in quite a few different countries… I then thought it would be high time to come up with a kind of “shopping guide” for you guys – also as I often receive messages asking me “where to buy this or that while in France/Spain/Scotland/Whatever” – I couldn’t leave you all lost in your spirited quests and I decided to highlight all my favourite whisky retailers (this series won’t be talking about online-only shops though – I’ll probably come up with a “all in one” piece about this later this summer as there’s also a lot to say).

Let’s then kick off this new series with one of the most iconic whisky retailers in Scotland : The Whisky Shop Dufftown!

The Whisky Shop Dufftown is based in the very heart of Speyside and offer an exceptional selection of over 600 whiskies and related items for you to buy or just stare at (Yes, I quite enjoy doing that while whisky shopping, I could litteraly spend hours checking bottles one by one… Hello nevrosis!).

What I also particularly like with The Whisky Shop in Dufftown (aside from their huge malted selection) is the way they have managed to be considered as an “independent whisky information centre” – like they say. You’ll always get the best advices there, potentially some drams to taste (always a nice selection open for tasting) and an incredibly warm welcome (I mean, this is Speyside right? What did you expect?!)

Another plus side for me is the huge amount of independent bottlings you’ll find in there! A real gold mine for whisky wanderers brave enough to dig into less common names & distilleries. I had the chance to particpate in their special “independent bottler challenge” during Spirit of Speyside Festival this year and I can tell you there are some real gems to check out!