The Singleton of Glen Ord 18 Year Old is a Scotch single malt whisky from the Glen Ord distillery, released in 2019 as part of the Diageo Special Releases series and bottled at natural cask strength of 55%. The spirit matured for 18 years in freshly charred American oak hogsheads, with bottling taking place in 2019.
The Glen Ord distillery holds a special status in this whisky. The Singleton of Glen Ord is a distillery in the Scottish Highlands and the only remaining working single malt distillery on the Black Isle peninsula. The edition was produced in a small batch. This small batch of The Singleton Glen Ord, matured for a full 18 years in freshly charred American oak hogsheads and never released before, combines the smooth character of the distillery with subtly complex aromas and intensely spicy flavours. According to industry data, 31,656 bottles were released.
In the glass, the whisky shows deep amber with orange reflections and good beading. According to the producer's description, the nose is gentle in feel, with a slight peppery prickle and a delicate drying sensation; at cask strength it is rather hard to decipher. The subtle aroma brings to mind nougat, with traces of dried apple, over a base of orange peel, while a drop of water smoothly adds creamy chocolate and enhances the orange note.
The flavour profile combines fruit and spice. On the palate, warming orange with a prickle of spice, notes of chocolate and caramel; with water added it becomes sweeter and silkier, still spicy, with a greater presence of orange and berry fruits. The finish heads towards dryness – long, warming, with a drying sensation in the mouth; with water it remains long, silky and spicy.