Leading up to the final season of the mega-hit HBO series Game of Thrones, spirits conglomerate Diageo released a set of 8 single mats paired with a House of Westeros and the Night Watch. A few of the scotches have age statements but most do not. The Singleton is a scotch not regularly seen in the US, which is why we snatched this up while in an airport duty free shop. Made from the Glendullan distillery, which was founded in 1897, it draws its water from the famed Fiddich river. The pairing with House Tully seems proper, as the emblematic fish is shared both both the House in the books and the Singleton in real life.
Distillery: Glendullan
Region: Speyside
Age: NAS
Strength: 40%
Price: $27.99
Location: Dufftown
Nose: Canned pears, fruit compote, fruit cocktail, suntan oil, white pepper
Palate: Wildflower honey, oak
Finish: Caramel, waxed candy
Comments:
Adam – While the spirit strays on the younger side, once you calibrate it actually becomes quite drinkable. The Singleton featured here isn’t hugely complex but it has an enjoyable mix of fruit, and prominent notes of honey accented with white pepper. There’s a very curious dry quality in the finish that gives a sense of evaporation. Some elements of oak sneaking throughout too, though never strong. In fact, none of the notes are very vibrant. I don’t say that as a bad thing, as it allows you to sift through the smells and tastes without the spirit being dominated by one. However, because it is so light, you need to not drink this after a stronger whisky or anything else that will influence your palate. A fun drink for the price.
Jenny – A lot of honey and pear and vanilla in the nose. A light and sweet flavor, with a little spice that tingles the tongue. If it was really hot out I could see it being better. Where some scotches evolve as they’re in your mouth, this one is flat. You taste it, it is what it is, then it’s done.
Meghan – It reminds me of an oaky chardonnay. There’s a tingliness on the tongue, kind of like what you sometimes find in wines that self-effervescent. It has a very dry finish. With a small sip, it feels like it evaporates partly down my throat and doesn’t make the full journey. There’s a sweet clover smell to it- like the smell of sunshine on a meadow. On first opening the bottle, it smelled and tasted very sweet. Honey and the heavy syrup fruit used to get canned in were the primary notes. However, a couple days later, that bit of oxidation made a difference. There were many more nuances on the nose and more balance to the palate. The finish is still short and subtle. It may be a dram that gets better with sitting.
Michael – This one is very fleeting. It had some watery qualities for me. It wasn’t very multi-dimensional. Not a bad scotch, but not one I’d seek out.
Peter – I think 20 somethings would like it. Is that bad?
Ben – It’s like terrible gum, or waxed candy. For people that normally don’t drink scotch.
