The Singleton Story: A Trinity of Legends
In the whisky world, The Singleton is a unique entity. It does not refer to a single distillery, but a brand series with spirits sourced from three distinct Scottish distilleries, each with its own character. This is a rare strategy in the history of single malt whisky. The three distilleries are:
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The Singleton of Glen Ord: Located on the Black Isle in the Highlands, its style focuses on tropical fruits, spices, and rich malt sweetness, previously exclusive to the Asian market.
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The Singleton of Dufftown: Located in the heart of Speyside in the 'Whisky Capital', Dufftown. The The Singleton produced here features notes of nuts, European red berries, and toasted flavors, serving as the mainstay of the international market and this page.
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The Singleton of Glendullan: Also in Speyside, its style leans towards fresh grass, lemon, and vanilla, primarily supplied to the American market.
This 'best of all worlds' strategy allows The Singleton to provide the most suitable flavors for various regional preferences. In Hong Kong, we most frequently encounter the fine expressions from Glen Ord and Dufftown.
The Art of Slow Craft: Alchemy of Time
Why does The Singleton always taste exceptionally smooth and balanced? The answer lies in the brand's pride: 'Slow Craft'. This is not just a marketing slogan, but a concrete commitment in the production process:
1. Long Fermentation
Typical Scotch whisky fermentation lasts about 48 to 60 hours. However, The Singleton fermentation often exceeds 75 hours. This extra time allows yeast to produce complex esters, the primary source of floral and fruity aromas, giving the spirit a natural richness that cannot be replaced during maturation.
2. Slow Distillation
During distillation, The Singleton intentionally slows down the process. Gentle heating allows the vapor more time for 'Copper Contact' with the stills. Copper purifies the spirit by removing sulfur compounds and impurities, ensuring the new make spirit is incredibly pure and smooth.
3. Balanced Cask Maturation
The Singleton excels in dual-cask maturation using Bourbon and Sherry casks. Master blenders precisely control the ratio between the dried fruit and nutty notes of European Sherry casks and the vanilla and honey notes of American Bourbon casks to achieve a 'Perfectly Balanced' profile.
The Singleton of Dufftown: Must-Try Classics
The Dufftown distillery was established in 1896 in Speyside, using the pure water of Jock's Well. Here are the core recommendations from Alcohol Please:
The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 Year Old
The best starting point for the The Singleton style. Matured in Bourbon and Sherry casks, it reveals aromas of toasted nuts, blackcurrant, and brown sugar, with espresso and fruit sweetness on the palate.
→ Shop The Singleton 12 Year Old
The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old
If you prefer elegant layers, the 15-year-old is an excellent choice. It showcases floral notes, melon, and spicy complexity alongside signature sweetness, offering a silky smooth texture.
→ Shop The Singleton 15 Year Old
The Singleton of Dufftown 18 Year Old
Time has refined this 18-year-old whisky into a mature masterpiece. Rich aromas of stewed fruit, toffee, and dark chocolate emerge from the deep amber liquid, offering an incredibly rounded finish.
→ Shop The Singleton 18 Year Old
Alcohol Please brings you the ultimate craftsmanship of The Singleton. Experience this balanced beauty from Speyside. Explore more in our Scotch Whisky Overview. For more history, visit Wikipedia: Dufftown distillery.
