Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year

Nose: Apples, pears, vanilla, honey, butter, diluted malt extract. Palate: Sweet arrival, again all on orchard fruits and honey. The development and later palate sees a lot of strong, hot flavours appearing. Initially white pepper, then chili, then finally hot ginger, and all these facets are sitting above a raw alcohol prickle. The texture is silky but there is also a harsh edge. Finish: Short. Barley sugar fading to … nothing. I bought this about 6 months ago but have only just opened it. The code is L2324DM003 so this is almost certainly a 2022 bottling. I have rarely tasted a Singleton whisky that I’ve liked, and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a good whisky from the Dufftown Distillery. Their distillate is hard, industrial and rough – all characteristics showcased in this expression. It starts off very well on the nose, with a profile that is narrow and simple, but good. Orchard fruits, malted cereal and pleasant ex-bourbon barrel vanilla and butter. It’s a crisp summery sort of nose that draws you back for more. The palate begins in the same manner but then a good deal of hot tannic spice intrudes and derails the experience. The finish is very short, with barely any aftertaste at all apart from a little sourness. The bottle information says ex-PX sherry seasoned barrels were partly used for the maturation, and I’m guessing that is where some of the heat derives. They must have been either the lowest grade of seasoned casks or else old multi-refill because all they contributed was tannin. The best way to consume this is with lots of cola soft drink and ice, which highlights the ginger notes on the palate in a very positive way. I would not recommend it as a neat dram – there are affordable blends that are better than this. “Adequate” : 73/100 (2.25 stars)

Light, malty, baked apple and apricot with a subtle and easy drinking finish.