While there are all manner of delicious Scotch whiskies out there to be enjoyed, the Singleton of Glen Ord range in particular, has been turning heads and making waves in the whisky world for all of the right reasons.
The Singleton of Glen Ord is a Highlands distillery in Scotland and is the only remaining single malt Scotch whisky distillery situated on the Black Isle. This in itself makes it pretty special.
Currently owned by Diageo, the distillery was founded in 1838 and utilises oloroso sherry casks and bourbon casks to age their whisky. While their 12, 15, 18, and 21-year-old ranges are hugely popular in Scotland and the British Isles, they’ve also proved to be huge in Japan, and the Japanese certainly know their whiskies.
Here’s a look at their amazing range of Scotch.
Singleton of Glen Ord 12-Year-Old
Recently revamped for the Japanese market, the 12-year-old is surprisingly hard to find. If you are fortunate to source a bottle, though, you’re in for a real treat.
The 40% ABV single malt Scotch is a deep amber colour, offering notes on the nose of leather and nuts, which give way to citrus fruits, honey, and murmurs of vanilla.
This Scotch really shines on the palate, delivering mulled spices, milk chocolate, vanilla, and a touch of lavender. The finish is short, with a very light creamy finish, with yet more vanilla.
If you can find a bottle, do yourself a favour and pick one up, you won’t regret it.
Singleton of Glen Ord 15-Year-Old Special Release
The first thing you notice about this stunning Scotch, is the amazing packaging. Featuring stunning blues, pinks, and purples, with a magical fairy pixie, this special release single malt Scotch comes in at a powerful 54.2% ABV, so it has one heck of a kick to it.
It begins its life as the regular 15-year-old release, though it then enjoys an extra 8 years to mature in a wine cask. The end result is a soft, fruity, and complex Scotch offering heaps of fruit and spice.
On the nose, you’re bombarded with fruit, with orange, raspberry, peach, and plums all jumping out at you. As they mellow, they give way to toffee apple and burnt oak.
On the palate, the Scotch is surprisingly soft and creamy, offering peaches and cream, stewed apples and pears, cloves, and madeira cake. The finish is again smooth and creamy, providing warming notes of condensed milk and winter spices.
Singleton of Glen Ord 18-Year-Old
Bottled at 18 years of age, and providing a stunning light cinder toffee colour, the 18-Year-Old in Diageo’s Singleton range is another winner amongst whisky lovers.
At 55% ABV, it’s another strong Scotch, yet you wouldn’t know it. On the nose, you get burn hay, fruit cake, honey, and oats.
On the palate, you instantly taste citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, grapefruits, and oranges. These fade away to woody, earthy, oak notes with a touch of vanilla. The medium-long finish provides a slight bitterness from the oak casks, along with tropical fruits.
Singleton of Glen Ord 21-Year-Old
Finally, we have the 21-Year-Old.
This 43% single malt has a very attractive light amber colour which is much lighter than a lot of the other Scotch whiskies in this range.
On the nose, burnt orange, treacle sponge, and pear drops instantly jump out at you.
On the palate, drinkers are rewarded with sticky dates, sticky toffee pudding, cherries, and toffee, all leading into a smooth and creamy finish that lingers long and dry. It really is an exceptional tipple.
It doesn’t matter what kind of Scotch you’re in the mood for, if you’re looking to pick up a bottle or two, make sure you check out https://greatdrams.com/ and browse the huge selection of amazing whiskies they have to offer.