Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year

Singleton represents a collection of expressions from various Diageo distilleries, marketed towards newcomers to single malts. Besides Dufftown, the other complexes involved are Glen Ord and Glendullan. As the name implies, Singleton of Dufftown originates from the Dufftown distillery, located in the town of the same name. It's similar to that movie starring Adam Driver where everything shares the same title, but with less artistry and more alcohol. That town also hosts notable distilleries like Glenfiddich, Mortlach, Balvenie, Glendullan, and Kininvie. The Dufftown distillery is one of Diageo's largest in terms of production volume, surpassed only by Caol Ila and the massive Roseisle. Nevertheless, less than 5% of its output is bottled as a single malt; the rest is used for blends, most notably the popular Bell’s. In terms of sensory experience, Singleton of Dufftown is a very straightforward, sweet single malt that seems underage. It's not harsh; in fact, it's quite the opposite. However, it also lacks significant depth. Its flavor profile is designed for broad appeal rather than to impress. Singleton of Dufftown matures in American oak ex-bourbon casks, with 'a significant portion also in European oak casks.' This last detail comes directly from the distillery – it's as exciting as it is uninformative. After all, what proportion are we talking about? And what did these barrels previously hold before housing the new-make spirit or whiskey? Regardless, if you're just starting your journey into single malts and seeking a reliable and affordable option, Singleton of Dufftown is your choice. Just don't expect anything novel; it offers an experience very similar to a standard premium blended Scotch whisky. But perhaps that's not necessarily a negative.

Nose: Apples, pears, vanilla, honey, butter, watered-down malt extract. Palate: Begins sweet, again with orchard fruits and honey. As it develops and moves across the palate, many strong, hot flavors emerge. Initially white pepper, then chili, and finally hot ginger, all layered over a raw alcohol prickle. The texture is silky, yet there's also a harsh quality. Finish: Brief. Barley sugar fading into... nothingness. I acquired this bottle about six months ago but have only just opened it. The batch code, L2324DM003, strongly suggests it's a 2022 bottling. I've seldom enjoyed a Singleton whisky, and I don't believe I've ever encountered a good whisky from the Dufftown Distillery. Their spirit is harsh, industrial, and rough – all traits evident in this release. It presents very well initially on the nose, with a profile that is limited and simple, but pleasant. Orchard fruits, malted cereal, and agreeable ex-bourbon cask vanilla and butter notes. It's a crisp, summery aroma that invites another sniff. The palate starts similarly but is then disrupted by a considerable amount of hot, tannic spice that spoils the experience. The finish is very short, with hardly any lingering taste beyond a touch of sourness. The bottle details indicate that casks seasoned with PX sherry were partially used for maturation, and I suspect this is the source of some of the heat. They must have been either low-grade seasoned casks or old multi-fill ones, as their only contribution was tannin. The best way to enjoy this is with plenty of cola and ice, which effectively enhances the ginger notes on the palate in a very positive manner. I wouldn't recommend it neat; there are more affordable blends that surpass it. "Adequate": 73/100 (2.25 stars)

Honestly, this is a truly wild whisky. The nose offered notes of honey, sweet apricot, and dark cherry jam. The palate, however, was excessively intense. It was too sweet, too nutty, and had a burn, despite its low alcohol content. Specifically, it presented cherry and apricot jam, brown sugar, peeled almonds, and walnuts. While this might sound appealing, it was overwhelmingly intense and lacked malt, wood, and balance. I wouldn't purchase another bottle; perhaps I'll revisit it in a few decades, haha.

* Nose: Subtle and very well-balanced. Alcohol is not noticeable. Baked bread, currant jam, likely red fruits, a hint of barrel at the end, which intensifies. * Mouth: Flavorful and delicate. Sweet chocolate, perfectly balanced herbal tones. Discreet bitterness well-structured in the background. Creamy on the tongue. It also possesses a certain fruity character with some licorice and a little pepper. * Finish: Medium

Appearance: amber, high viscosity. Nose: sweet (honey, vanilla), fruity (sultanas, orange peels, green apples), damp oak. Palate: a gentle spicy, sweet, and fruity initial taste, medium-bodied, rich, sweet (honey, vanilla), fruity (orange peels, sultanas, apples, pears), damp oak. Finish: short, with a sweet and fruity aftertaste. Comment: An approachable, fairly straightforward dram.

The color is very pale. The nose is sweet with fruit and honey. The first taste is surprisingly mild, just a touch of sweetness. Some hints of nuttiness appear, followed by hints of smoke. Overall, one of the mildest Scotches I have tasted. Perhaps a bit too mild as it borders on bland. Nothing offensive, but not very interesting either.