Singleton of Glendullan Select (Game of Thrones-House Tully)

Game of Thrones? Great show. House Tully and this Scotch? Not so much. I'm typically a bit wary when a product heavily relies on promotion to build significant buzz. So, a whisky without an age statement bottled at 40% ABV helps me anticipate keeping my expectations modest. Immediately on the nose, it presented a blend of summer fruits and sweetness that strongly suggested Speyside. It was enjoyable discerning each distinct aroma, but when it came to the flavor and taste, it was disappointing and didn't meet expectations. On the palate, it offered a fading mix of sweetness, spice, a touch of peat, and something savory, yet it also lacked any substantial character. The finish was remarkably brief, making me question if this batch might have been diluted by mistake. It was easy enough to drink, but that's also due to its lack of complexity. In summary, much like House Tully, I'd suggest this uninspiring Scotch shows promise. It's not remarkable or deserving of praise, but additional years in the cask might have improved it. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about this single malt, but if you're a fan of Game of Thrones and like collecting items, this could be for you. NOSE: Dried cherry, peach, apricot, malt, green tea, vanilla custard PALATE: Honey, nutmeg, cloves, hint of peat FINISH: Malted barley, light peat, cherries, dried cranberries, lychee, sea salt, earthiness Rating: 74/100 Grade: C Below average – drinkable, but better as a mixer / party booze.

Nose: Flavors of orchard fruit and dark berries like raspberry and blackberry. A subtle salinity, not quite sea spray but similar. A hint of tart fruit. A pleasant cherry cough syrup note. Palate: Initially rich, then fades. Similar flavors as the nose, with an added cornbread sweetness, unusual for a single malt. Vanilla develops over time. The finish has clove and cinnamon spice, slightly diminished by the weaker mid-palate. Despite generally negative feedback, it's decent. I wish the mid-palate had more presence, as a scotch that's both watery and good is hard to categorize. The watery aspect might be intentional, given the bottle's imagery. I purchased this because it seemed the only reasonably priced option available, which is as good a reason as any to try it. Your experience may differ.

I was anticipating this release. In fact, I was eager for any of the Game of Thrones editions. I assumed once the show deteriorated into trash before our very eyes, the prices for these related items would plummet, much like other merchandise. So far, this is the only one that supports my hypothesis. This is, akin to House Tully, mired in mediocrity. It's not particularly memorable. A touch of honey sweetness, a faint wisp of smoke somewhere distant. It feels somewhat lifeless with a weak finish. Still, it left a better impression than the pathetic and maddening conclusion to the series that inspired it. For that, you'd need a bottle of actual garbage. This isn't that. It's just kind of 'meh'.

Nose: mild and spirit-like, with raisins and spices. Palate: consistently spirit-like, as if aged in sherry or marsala casks (origin unknown), with light coffee, seed oil, dried fruits, and raisins. Finish: brief and sharp, leaning towards bitterness. Nothing memorable. Score 3.75

Nose: cinnamon, sweet white wine, powdered sugar, white nougat, floral notes, smooth, creamy, and light despite the 40% ABV, with a slightly savory hint of tomato and cooked green peppers (2.25). Palate: light and sweet, gentle and unobtrusive, like popsicles with a mild chili kick and a touch of rusk (2.75). Finish: not very pleasant, concluding with a peculiar bitter note resembling aspirin or grape seeds (similar to the taste of the sap from a dandelion stem) (1.75). Verdict: disappointing; the nose and palate are acceptable and easy to drink, but the finish is quite poor.

Just as expected from a Singleton, a mild fruit drink. This is the "House Tully" Game of Thrones special, labeled "Select". A non-age-stated whisky meant for display. Smells very fruity. Green apples, a touch of clove, pears, acetone, cider, apricots. Taste is quite spicy, which was unexpected. It's actually a blend of spices, primarily herbal notes like rosemary and clove. A peppery and clove finish, lingering but faint. It's not a terrible whisky, but I would pass on buying it because better options are available for the same cost. 78/100.