The Singleton of Dufftown 25 Year Old is a single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, bottled by Diageo at 43% ABV, whose character is built on a combination of three cask types. The Singleton brand was created in 2006 as a single malt identity for the Dufftown distillery, intended for the European market, while Glendullan serves North America and Glen Ord the Asian market.
At the heart of this edition lies a process the producer calls the Trinity Harmony Philosophy. Maureen Robinson and her team hand-selected and blended whiskies from European oak casks and refill bourbon casks, which had rested in private reserves for more than a quarter of a century, with the final spirit married in American oak casks. The European oak casks with a sherry influence bring spice, dried fruit and resin, the refill bourbon casks add a cleaner fruit profile and vanilla, while the American oak serves for the final marriage and integration of both components.
Fruit dominates the aromatic profile. The nose carries a subtle tropical note, with pear, vivid pineapple and passion fruit, which maintain balance on the palate. The whisky is distinctly fruitier than the 21 Year Old version: first come sweet pear, apple and passion fruit, before orange peel and apricot develop, after which woody spice takes over – cinnamon, white pepper and ginger lend a drier, more structured character than the sweetness of the nose would suggest. The finish is very long.
Compared with the younger releases in the range, this 25 Year Old edition retains a recognisable character, but in an intensified form. Unlike the younger versions, it maintains a palate and finish as expressive as the nose, and the character of the younger versions is preserved and amplified here – with a sweet mix of fresh fruit combined with pronounced spiciness. Bottled at 43% ABV.