Singleton of Dufftown Malt Master's Selection

Nose: Immediately very fruity (apples and pairs mainly) with a background of vanilla and caramel and a prominent grassy, honey note. There is a quality to the nose that is very reminiscent of a good blended whisky. The sweetness builds over time but it remains brisk and not cloying. [The dry glass aroma is mainly light ashy smoke]. Palate: A lightly oily and sweet arrival with fruity notes (apple and pear again). As it develops some vanilla and honey becomes apparent, and then there is a wave of very strong esters like fruit flavoured cordial syrup. A little orange essence and chocolate, caramel malted milk, and a touch of peppery spice. There is a metallic note (only slight) but it jars the palate a little. Finish: Medium/short. Fruity and caramel notes that fade into a slightly bittersweet aftertaste with the metallic quality remaining. This is an obviously young single malt. It's very estery and spirit led and the casks were good but not first-fill. The nose lacks the depth and complexity of a good single malt, but it is nevertheless pleasant and refreshing. The overall profile is very like that of a quality blended scotch and the whisky works nicely as a mixer with soda and ice. Dilution tames the fruity characteristics a little on both the nose and palate and is recommended. Actually, with just a dash of plain water it makes a very nice quaffing malt on a hot day, and I'm sure it would be right at home in a highball. At the price it is good value and it would be fine as an occasional alternative to one's usual mixing blend. "Average" : 79/100 (2.75 stars)

Im side by side comparing this one to the singleton of dufftown 12 years old. Nose: immediately the fruityness and apples jump out. Vanilla, and some lime. A hint of honey. Taste: Light tannic bitterness, pretty oily. Still a lot of apple and pear fruityness, with added caramel, hay, and peppercorn. Finish: short and a bit unpleasant. reminds me most of orange pith and very dark chocolate which lingers in your mouth. On the nose this whisky had my prefference over the singleton of dufftown 12 YO, but the bitterness in this version actually made it score worse.

A decent and memorable budget scotch malt. It's not as smooth and mellow as you might think. The young malt here has a nice kick to it, which I always enjoy in a whiskey. The overall profile reminds me of some good blends. Fruity, sweet and spicy, a long finish with some wood notes present. The sherry component here is nicely evident all the way. I would recommend this to someone who likes blends and wants to cross into malt land.

N14, P13, F13, B13 Pretty nondescript NAS. The aroma is straightforward, malty, a hint of wood, spirit biting nostrils. The taste is simple, unmemorable, slightly fruity and slightly spicy. Alcohol is noticeable. On the 3d or 4th day of consumption appeared an unpleasant flavor of fusel oil or of something resembling kerosene. Pass on it.

15th December, 2021 Nosing: light oak, honey Palate: oily; spice, vanilla, toffee Finish: pepper, caramel Has been enjoyed neat, over ice, and at varying ratios with Coca Cola No Sugar. Prefer 50mL : 50mL Coke No Sugar with two ice cubes.

3 cask types: refill, seasoned, ex-bourbon - ‘fresh fruit, rich honey, and mellow vanilla, followed by juicy pear, sweet spice and the tingling warmth of white pepper’ - decidedly smooth, subtly complex… will revisit