Single Malt

A Review of The Singleton of Glendullan Series


The Singleton brand of whiskies refers to several Speyside distilleries, including Glen Ord, Dufftown, and Glendullan.  It’s a bit of odd branding, and I can see where it can be a touch confusing.  Here we’re looking at the Glendullan portfolio, newly available in the US market.  Glendullan isn’t a well-known distillery, though it’s not new.  It was founded back in 1897 in Dufftown.  Most of the whisky is matured in American oak, though some European oak is also used.  I love tasting through a distillery’s whiskey portfolio side-by-side.  It’s a great way to dive into the distillery style, giving you an intimate look at how the spirit matures over time.  

All whiskies in the distillery’s US portfolio (12-, 15-, and 18-year-old) are bottled at 40% abv.  At the moment, they’re only available in CA, FL, NY, CO, TX, PA, WA and NJ markets.  

GLENDULLAN 12

The youngest and lightest of the bunch, Glendullan 12-year-old is very reminiscent of Glenlivet 12.  The nose features hints of slightly caramelized orchard fruits, lemon zest, honey and very light spice.  The entry is a bit subdued, but opens to welcoming crisp apples and orange blossom honey, with vanilla pod and light spices developing.  The finish is short and leaves a spiced honey note.  This is an uncomplicated, easy-sipping entry level whisky.  $34.99  7/10

GLENDULLAN 15

A couple more years of maturation add a bit more richness.  That means more refined fruits on the nose, as well as toffee, fig preserves and spice.  I find the 15 doesn’t have as much citrus zestiness on the nose as the 12.  Taste-wise, the low abv means a slightly watered down entry.  In terms of flavors, honeyed tree fruit, dried fruits and candied pecans dominate, accented by some oak spice and mulled wine notes.  The finish is a bit longer than its younger brother, with hints of zesty malt, honey and spice.  Overall, a bit darker and richer malt that features more dried fruits and spice.  $49.99  7.5/10

GLENDULLAN 18

Described as “balanced, light and elegant” on the bottle, Glendullan 18 is the oldest of the distillery’s US offerings.  The nose is full of rich and spicy cinnamon cake, stewed apples & pears, and dried figs & raisins.  Hints of vanilla, toasted almonds and seville oranges with a touch of dried tobacco.  The palate is the richest of the three expressions, with wave after wave of dark caramel and dried fruits with hints of vanilla creme brulee, peanut brittle and leather.  The finish is long, featuring dark fruit jam and spices, turning a bit dry.  I think the 18-year-old mark is where this whisky starts to find its sweet spot.  Glendullan 18 is rich and full of dried fruits and spice.  Nicely done.  $79.99  8.5/10

Thanks to Diageo for the samples.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tyrconnell 16-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review


A limited edition 16-year-old Tyrconnell Single Malt.  Have I got your attention?  It definitely has mine.  

Tyrconnell, produced at the Cooley Distillery, is one of the few Irish whiskies that is double-distilled, as opposed to the more traditional triple-distillation utilized in other Irish whiskies.  This 16-year-old expression was matured in American ex-bourbon barrels, so I’m expecting some creaminess and vanilla.  It’s also bottled at a healthy 46% abv.

Curious about where the name Tyrconnell came from?  The whiskey is named after a racing horse that, in 1876, took the crowd by surprise and won first place at 10th running of the National Produce Stakes Horse Race.  A family in that crowd also owned a distillery, and soon after produced a small batch whiskey named after the winner of the race – Tyrconnell.  A whisky named after a racing horse?  Love it.  But how is it?

The nose is full of fruit, especially cinnamon apples and tropical fruit.  There are also hints of grassiness, vanilla bean, and ripe grapefruit.  Honestly one of the fruitiest noses I’ve come across in quite a while.  The palate closely follows the nose with crisp orchard fruits bursting upon entry, only to reveal some mango and honeydew.  A slightly creamy spiced caramel adds some richness.  I agree with the official tasting notes on the finish:  “a very long, herbal spice-rich finish.”  Specifically, I’m picking up a little dried thyme, ginger and a touch of black pepper.

The development of this whiskey is beautiful.  A lovely fruity nose and initial entry, then developing into some rich caramel followed by that herbal/spice finish.  Sadly, there’s not a lot of this stuff to go around.  It’s available in select markets for about $100/bottle.  I’m hoping it comes to New Orleans.  I really need to find a bottle of this lucious, fruity whiskey.  Highly recommended.  9/10

Thanks to Tyrconnell’s PR firm for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Port Ellen 37-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

Ah, the venerable Port Ellen.  The cult favorite, or at least among the whisky obsessed.  This 16th release of the infamous Islay whisky is also the oldest ever released.  Distilled in 1978, this bottling was drawn from refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts.  Since the distillery’s shutdown in 1983, we’ve seen a slow but steady trickle of Port Ellen hit the market.  But there is only so much left, which partially explains the $4,000 price tag.  

It took some time (and a few drops of water) for this cask strength whisky (55.2% abv) to open up. When it did, I was greeted by hints of apricot, seaweed, leather, tropical fruit concentrate, peat smoke and carmelized wood sugars. The palate is built on a foundation of sweet peat smoke, but it’s not heavy. Ethereally floating on top are hints of guava, lemon peel, old wood, and vanilla custard, as well as a touch of seaweed and leather (rancio?). The finish is long, leaving hints of light smoke and salted, slightly rotten tropical fruit.

Surprisingly lively for a 37 year old whisky. In fact, I’m the same age and it’s probably livelier than I am! Another spectacular bottling of Port Ellen.  Get this one while it’s still around. 9.5/10