The Singleton of Glendullan delivers the second oldest expression in the 2021 Special Releases. It is 19 years old Speyside single malt finished in Cognac seasoned casks, something that we don’t see every day. Apparently Diageo has quite some experimental cask parcels lying around the warehouses.
The Singleton of Glendullan 19 yo (54,6%, OB Special Releases 2021, refill American oak + cognac finish)
Nose: quite sweet and fruity, in a nicely natural way. Lots of apricots, yellow apples, lemon drops and golden raisins. Later I also get hints of panettone and marzipan, a little clay and dried grass. There is a layer of oak spice as well, hinting towards curry. Slightly understated but good.
Mouth: we’re still having this layer of apple sweetness and vanilla cake, perhaps some grape sugar as well. Honey and orange peel. Right from the start it shows some assertive ginger, which leads to a bitter grassy note towards the end. Clove and white pepper. Lemon peels. Toffee and coconut flakes.
Finish: medium, with sweet spice. More grapes, pepper and orange peel. Dark chilli chocolate too.
This Glendullan doesn’t show a wham-bam profile. While I am charmed by the fruity, elegant nose, unfortunately the bitterness on the palate takes it down a little. Still available from The Whisky Exchange or TyndrumWhisky for instance, or your local retailer of course.