The Singleton Sublimely Smooth 18 yo Dufftown Distillery

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Dufftown - Speyside

Refill American Bourbon and European Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2011

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Singleton of Dufftown 18yo was released just three years after the 15yo, which leads me to believe that it is exactly the same juice, but a little older. This product, initially reserved for Europe, is now available all over the world. It is the distillery's oldest expression in the regular range. Initially, it was subtitled Traditionally Batch Distilled, then Perfectly Balanced and Smooth, and finally, as from 2020, Sublimely Smooth.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is at last complex, with crème caramel, white chocolate ganache, a variety of pulpy fruits, apples, apricots, pears, bananas, pineapple, with a hint of vanilla and a zest of lemon. On the palate, it's still a little light, but it comes through: woody, floral, white grapes and rosewater, a pinch of icing sugar, very light spices. The finish is interesting, with toasted cereals, young wood, tannins, hazelnuts, almonds, cola, cloves and a very slight touch of bitterness.

In Short, 

You have to wait until it's 18 years old before you get something complex, a real profile. It's still a little too light in alcohol, and the cold filtration erases the flavours, but there's something appreciable nevertheless. I wouldn't go so far as to buy it, but it gives you a good time. Fans beware, the price varies considerably.

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Feist - Forever Before

The Singleton Fruity Decadence 15 yo Dufftown Distillery

 

 

 

40°

Distillery : Dufftiwn - Speyside 

Refill Bourbon, European Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2008

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The Singleton brand was born in 1986, when the idea was to bottle Single Malt from the Auchroisk distillery, but the gentlemen at Diageo felt that the name Auchroisk was too difficult to pronounce and would sell better under the name Singleton. The Singleton of Auchroisk was then abandoned, and it wasn't until the 2000s that the brand was relaunched, with three distilleries: Dufftown for the European market, Glen Ord for the Asian market, and Glendullan for the American market. The 15-year-old was later launched, initially for the travel-retail market. But today it can be found everywhere. When it was first released, it was subtitled Traditionally Batch Distilled, then in 2018 it became Perfectly Balanced and Smooth, and finally in 2020, with new packaging, it changed its name to Fruity Decadence. Unfortunately, it's cold-filtered and coloured, and the alcohol content is kept to a minimum.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The fruits are more pronounced, even tangy: blood orange, clementine, melon, lemon and grapefruit juice, juicy apples and pears, white grapes, prickly pears. Creamy vanilla in the background, with a few floral hints. The palate is still very clear, but a little less so than with the 12-year-old, still fruity, slightly honeyed, biscuity, with very light spices. The finish is decent without being really remarkable, barely long, light but a tad punchy, toasted wood, cereals, egg custard, vergeoise and sponge cake. Almonds.

In Short, 

It's exactly the same profile as the 12-year-old, only a little better. It's beginning to be pleasant, without being really interesting. The price rises slightly, but it's still cheap. You have to like light products, but it's not that badly made. Not my thing at all anyway.

Score : 84

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Merce Lemon - Backyard Lover

The Singleton Luscious Nectar 12 yo Dufftown Distillery

 

 

 

40° 

Distillery : Dufftown - Speyside

Refill Bourbon, European Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2006

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Singleton is a brand that brings together Single Malts from several distilleries, Glen Ord, Auchroisk, Glendullan, but the one from Dufftown is certainly the most widespread. It's chill-filtered and reduced to 40°, so you might think it's reserved for cocktails, but it can also be enjoyed neat. The first editions were subtitled Traditionally Batch Distilled, but the packaging and subtitles have changed over the years, with the current one dating from 2020 and subtitled Luscious Nectar.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's smooth and fruity, creamy, with clear and liquid honey, orchard fruit and floral touches. Yellow and green apples, Comices pears, a zest of lemon, ripe apricots, soft bananas and a few exotic fruits, pineapple, papaya. On the palate, it's unfortunately very light, but there's still a hint of light fruit with a bit of icing sugar, the spices are very discreet. The finish is obviously not very powerful or long, but it's well done nonetheless, with various cereals, whipped cream, meringue and mint leaves.

 

In Short, 

It could be quite good, but reduced as it is, and chill-filtered, there's not much left in terms of flavour. On the other hand, it's well-balanced and easy to drink. The price is certainly attractive, but even free, I don't know if I'd want it. Too shy and restrained for me.

Score : 83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Sundays - Goodbye

Indri Drù

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Piccadilly - India

Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It was in 1993 that the Piccadilly distillery was born in northern India, financed by a large group of the same name, which distributes spirits and films and manages hotels. Two other distilleries will follow, but it seems that the whisky, in which the group has invested since 2018, comes from the original one. This Drù was launched in 2023, and is presented as being Cask Strength, but I doubt that this is the case, as each Batch (there are 4 to date) is presented with the same alcohol content. I consider it to be part of the regular range, because 4 Batches in just one year implies a regular production flow. And there's no difference between the different Batches, apparently.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The profile is highly original, deeply woody, just-cut young wood, a few drops of sap, caramel and dark chocolate, creamed asparagus, braised greengages. Vanilla extract, orange peel, liquorice stick. Prunes. On the palate, cinnamon, mandarin, light vinegar. Hazelnuts. Melon, banana and tropical fruits. The spices are measured, cloves, nutmeg. Warm, lively finish, quite powerful but not so long, cola, liquorice rolls, oak bark. Dried apricots, quince purée.

 

In Short, 

It's rich and woody, without being too bitter. It's well-crafted and nuanced, and will delight anyone who likes an original profile and a full-bodied whisky, without being too peaty. If you look hard enough, you'll find it at a very reasonable price.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Castle Rat - Cry for Me

Octomore 2018 Edition 15.1 5 yo

 

 

 

59,1°

Distillery : Bruichladdich - Islay

1st Fill and Recharred Ex-Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 108,2 ppm

 

 

 

I'm always happy to discover a new Octomore Batch. So, nothing particularly new for the 1st version of this 15th Batch, except that some casks have been recharred, that means burnt a second time with a blowtorch after being filled and emptied with Bourbon.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is very smooth and elegant, with candied vanilla, juicy mirabelle plums and polished wood. The peat isn't all that strong, but the smoke is bewitching. Almond paste, crème caramel, wafers filled with vergeoise. Semi-salted butter biscuits. Very well-balanced palate, fruit pastry, buttery croissants, the peat is in the background, powerful but tamed. The spices come to the fore, but there's nothing revolutionary about that, the finish is very well managed, with a few notes of bitumen and waxed wood, but also exotic fruits, banana, mango and apricot. Melting caramel, wood resin. Ricola sweets.

 

In Short, 

After the 12.1, which was a monster of explosive peat, a concentrate of choking smoke, Adam Hannett sought to do something more elegant and balanced with the Octomore .1s. The first result was the 13.1, which I found a little too gentle. I wasn't able to taste the 14.1, but in my opinion the 15.1 is the pinnacle of elegance for a peated whisky, and therefore the culmination of the quest that began, somewhat clumsily, with the 13.1. It is also, in my opinion, one of the best Octomores in the .1 series, after the 12.1 of course. Taste it at least once in your life, whether you like it or not, and if you like it, it's without restraint.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           neànder - Aăs

Tomatin Legacy

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Tomatin - Highlands

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels and Virgin Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2013

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Launched in 2013, this is the distillery's bottom of the range. From what I've read, 80% of it is juice that has spent 7-8 years in 1st Fill Bourbon Barrels, and the rest has spent 4 years in virgin casks. It's 43°, but cold-filtered and coloured.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Dried lemon and young wood, freshly cut. Pastry cream and orange blossom, sweet potatoes. Vanilla and coconut. The bitterness of the virgin casks is well hidden. The palate is unfortunately clear, but still correct, pineapple and grapefruit, mashed banana, lychee, lime. Wood chips and white pepper. A few herbaceous touches. Apple juice and peaches. Very woody finish, but also fruity, orchard fruit, icing sugar. Liquid honey. Caramel and cola.

 

In Short, 

It's not as bad as all that, the palate is very clear and the finish is light, but the nose is successful. The price is very low, so this is an opportunity to discover this distillery through the back door.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ella Fall - Like Mothers Do

Glengoyne Cask Strength Batch 010

 

 

 

59,5°

Distillery : Glengoyne - Highlands 

Refill Oak, 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Casks and 1st Fill Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

And here is the 10th Batch of Glengoyne Cask Strength, an annual limited edition that showcases the distillery's most intense spirit. For the occasion, it was aged in Refill Oak and Oloroso casks, with a small proportion of Bourbon Barrels. We don't know the age, but at least it's Cask Strength.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, lemon peel, slightly candied, but not too pronounced. White currants, well-balanced fullness, citrus meringue, grapefruit. Salted butter caramel, white peaches and lychees. Warm white chocolate cookies. On the palate, creamy vanilla, juicy and tangy pears, which go very well with the citrus fruit. It's woody and almost waxy, with honey and cinnamon. The spices build slowly to a peppery finish, clove and nutmeg, hazelnuts and smoky green tea, damp wood.   

In Short, 

I found it to have character and an original profile. It's very well made, delicate, gourmand, and full-bodied when it needs to be. What's more, if you look hard enough, you can find it at a very reasonable price. Maybe I'll give it a try sometime. Batch 011 is still not out, so we're waiting for it to compare. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           The Buddaheads - Mountain of Blues

The Yamazaki Islay Peated 2024 Edition

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

Islay Peated Whisky Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

The 3rd representative of the Batch 2024 in the Tsukuriwake range is this ageless Yamazaki, which has spent several years in Islay whisky casks. The result is that we've never had a Suntory whisky so peaty. I would have liked to know more about this little thing, but the company must have considered that mystery sold better.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A slightly heavy, mineral and dusty peat, but in the end much lighter than I expected. The whole is very well balanced, with mineral, grainy and chocolate notes. Hazelnuts, liquorice, puffed rice. On the palate, light fruits, plums a little too ripe, baked apples, smoked black tea, dried figs and bananas, damp earth. Cloves, nutmeg. Long, cerealy finish, light touches of charcoal, cola, chicory, shiitake mushrooms, prunes, bark, heather. Dried caramel.

 

In Short, 

It's a good idea, which makes for an original and attractive product. The distillery's profile goes well with this slightly thick, but measured peat. On the other hand, the price is completely out of line, which is a shame.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Onyx Eyes - Marian's Song

The Hakushu 12 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Hakushu - Japan 

1st Fill Bourbon Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 1994

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

This is Suntory's 2nd legendary bottling, after Yamazaki 12 Year Old. They are among the few products that have put Japanese whisky on the map. Over the years, Hakushu 12yo has become so famous that production had to be discontinued due to lack of stock in 2018. But it came back three years later to our great delight. The recipe is simple: first-fill Bourbon casks, pure water, warehouses at an altitude of 700 metres, 12 years of waiting. And the miracle happened.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First the nose is very fruity, with juicy apples and pears, orchard fruits, it's very herbaceous, cut grass, angelica, and a very light layer of peat, which gives a marshy character to the whole. Forest undergrowth, vegetable moss, pistachio, chlorophyll. It's gourmand on the palate, with icing sugar, lime and candied fruits. Barely noticeable spices. Long, well-crafted finish, vegetal, but also damp earth, holly leaf, green tea, lettuce.

In Short, 

It's obviously very interesting, with the light peat adding depth to this herbaceous, woody whisky. The first-fill casks give a lovely roundness. It's very well made. Of course, the price is very exaggerated, but it's not as crazy as the other bottlings. Absolute fans of the distillery can afford it.

Score : 87

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Iskwé - Caught in the Waves

The Hakushu 18 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Hakushu - Japan

Ex-Bourbon, Ex-Sherry and Mizunara Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2006

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

There are several Hakushu 18 Year Old, some are limited editions, like the one in my previous post, and this one belongs to the distillery's Core Range. Launched in 2006 when whisky connoisseurs were just beginning to take an interest in the world of japanese whisky, it is now an institution, and those who were able to buy it when its price was still affordable are very happy with it.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is intense and deep, beginning with cereal grains and dried vanilla, followed by very well-balanced forest and planty fragrances, with a very discreet peatiness that adds fullness. Forest undergrowth, chestnuts, chlorophyll, dried biscuits. Dates and dried figs too. It's very mellow on the palate, calissons d'Aix, frangipane, vanilla pastry cream, speculoos crumbs. Perfectly mastered spices, cloves, a pinch of pepper. Long, measured finish, very well done without being explosive. Liquorice, sandalwood, cinnamon, dead leaves, humus, vegetal moss.

 

In Short, 

I find it better balanced than the 18-year-old Peated Malt 2024, but a little less powerful. It's obviously a very good whisky, with a very distinctive personality. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find these days and extremely expensive, so it should be reserved for speculators and wealthy collectors.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby

The Hakushu 18 yo Peated Malt 2024 Edition

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Hakushu - Japan

Bourbon Barrels and American White Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Slightly Peated

 

 

 

Within the Tsukuriwake 2024 range, this Hakushu 18 yo is a little more peaty than usual. No information was given on how it was made, how it was aged, let alone how many bottles were produced. I've emailed Suntory to ask for information, and I assume they're still discussing whether it fits in with their business plan. So I'm presuming that the ageing is the same as for the Distiller's Edition and the 12 yo.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's intensely vegetal, swamps, reeds, vanilla bamboo stalks, candied angelica, bay and holly leaves. But there's some fruit in there too, fresh juicy pears, greengages, pistachio and celery. The peat is light, barely mineral. The palate is more honeyed and fruity, with hints of cinnamon and milk chocolate. The spices are very well controlled. A whiff of smoke lingers in the mouth. The finish is long and well-crafted, with cloves, cola, ginger root and fruit pastes. Woody undertones.

 

In Short, 

The vegetal character is intense, made even more so by the peat. It's very interesting and quite pleasant. I really liked it, but the price is totally grotesque. I can't understand why anyone would pay so much for a bottle for which they know neither the peat content nor the exact ageing.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Breizh Pan Celtic - The Gael

Glen Ord 2012 100 Proof Edition #22 11 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Glen Ord - Highlands 

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Barely a year into its existence, this is already the 22nd bottling in the 100 Proof series, not counting the Exceptional Casks, which form a separate sub-range. How far will they go? This one is aged in Bourbon casks, which is not so common in this collection, dominated by Sherry. We don't know how many bottles have been produced, but it's in the region of several thousand.

 

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Salty citrus, rocky grapefruit, with a touch of hay and lemon. It's mellow, airy, mirabelle plums, greengages, dried apricots. Cut wheat, it's harvest time. The lawn after the rain. Green tea. Herbal notes, candied angelica, a sage leaf. It's still citrusy on the palate, with hints of white plum and even vanilla. Then some spices, pepper, nutmeg. Nice fullness. The finish is long and powerful, cloves, fairly herbal, laurel, but also slightly smooth. Frangipane with bits of almond. Calissons.

 

In Short, 

Another great success in this range. I think I particularly like this distillery, which is underrated. The combination of saline and herbal notes, fruit and citrus, is very well-balanced and full of character. Given the value for money, this is a must-buy.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Jackson C. Frank - My Name is Carnival

The Yamazaki 12 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

American, Spanish and Mizunaara Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 1984

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

This one is a piece of history, launched in 1984 when Japanese whisky was as famous and renowned as Basque pelota, it has stood the test of time, gradually becoming a veritable institution. It is also one of the first Japanese single malts, if not the very first.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's mellow, fleecy, airy, comfortable. As if you were on an old leather sofa, warm under a blanket. Warm wood, milk chocolate mousse, coppery grain. But it's also very subtle, with citrus and dried fruit notes adding complexity. Puffed rice. Cooked apples on the palate, a square of dark chocolate, delicate vegetal touches, light spices, nutmeg and cloves. Very woody and delicately mentholated finish, with hints of old bark and damp earth. Fresh chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

There's some really interesting stuff in here, a lovely subtlety and impressive balance. It's very pleasant to drink, and deserves its reputation. It's a great shame that the price has soared so high.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           King Bee & The Stingers - Meet Me in Memphis

The Yamazaki Golden Promise 2024 Edition

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Yamazaki - Japan

American, Spanish and Mizunara Oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated 

 

Since 2020, Suntory has been releasing a biennial range called Tsukuriwake, which pays tribute to Japanese craftsmanship and its diversity. This 2024 edition is the third, and this Yamazaki Golden Promise is one of its representatives. Made from Golden Promise barley, the emblematic barley of Scotch whisky from the 1960s-1970s, it has also undergone the classic Yamazaki triple maturation process. Neither the age of the product nor the number of bottles filled is known.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is mellow and grainy, with ganache biscuits, milk chocolate and vanilla pastry, all linked by notes of lemon and honey. A few dried fruits, apricots, figs, bananas and raisins. All in all, a fine balance. On the palate, the fruit is fresher, even exotic, and the chocolate is more prominent, combined with nutmeg and ginger. Quite powerful finish, without being explosive, very controlled, very woody. Earthy touches, the chocolate becomes darker, and the whole is a little more vegetal. Green tea, holly leaves.

 

In Short, 

It's very good, of course, but not exceptional either. I may have missed something, but I didn't feel the influence of the Golden Promise barley. On the other hand, this is a Yamazaki, certainly ageless but not too young, with an interesting alcohol content, and quite intense. Unfortunately, the price is astronomical; it should be five times cheaper.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Lauge - Undercurrent

Isle of Raasay Na Sia Single Cask Series Unpeated Rye Cask 5 yo c. 19/268

 

 

 

61,8°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands 

American Rye Whiskey Cask 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

The plan for the Na Sia Single Cask Series is to release a Batch every two years, when the distillate is 3, 5, 7, 9 and finally 11 years old. So here we have the 2nd Batch in the series, which, like its predecessor, comes in six versions: Bordeaux cask, Chinkapin oak cask, American Rye cask, peated and unpeated. Here we have a sample of cask 19/268, an unpeated American Rye cask. For each version, around 5 casks are emptied. Each cask produces around 150 to 250 bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's mellow, with hints of brioche, sponge cake, a few white fruits coated in honey, raisins and plums, but there's also a whiff of rustic cereal, varnished wood and freshly baked farmhouse bread. Touches of pepper and vanilla. On the palate, royal jelly, gingerbread, black bread galettes, woody spices, pan-fried caramel, cinnamon. Powerful finish, with notes of charcoal, terracotta, cocoa paste, coffee, toffee and ginger. The wood becomes rougher.

 

In Short, 

That's very interesting. I've always enjoyed Rye, here the cereals are intense, but very softened by tones of honey and white fruit. It's very pleasant to drink. The nose is sufficiently complex and the finish quite powerful. On the other hand, the price is a little too high.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Danit - Cuatro Vientos

Isle of Raasay Lightly Peated Batch R-01.3.1

 

 

 

46,4°

Distillery : Isle of Raasay - Islands

1st Fill Rye Whiskey, Chinkapin Virgin Oak and 1st Fill Bordeaux Red Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 25 ppm  

This biannual range is coming to an end, or so I'm told. This is the 3rd Batch of the Spring edition, which is named 01 (02 being the Autumn edition). I don't know what the 1 on the right means. All these codes are certainly starting to get complicated. I don't know the age of the beast or the number of bottles produced.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is lively, almost spicy, with honey and white fruits, vanilla and banana, gentle sea breeze, spices, cloves and black pepper. Luscious vanilla, warm waffle, mineral salts. Sand from the beach, a few salted biscuits. It's full on the palate, with yellow plums, mirabelles, the peat is far in the background, as are the spices. The finish is correct but light, woody, toasted cereals, crispy buckwheat pancakes, some pastry and creamy notes. Whipped cream.

In Short, 

I think this series has improved over time. I used to find the mouth very clear, but here it's quite appreciable. I would still like a more virile alcohol content. The price is always a bit high.

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Haunted Images - Grey Days