June 19, 2015

Little H2Hs, today Dufftown

I mean, Singletons of D. Not sure they are whiskies for us – rather for the occasional travel retail crowd, but since they’re there, why not try them. After all, a Porsche is fast only because there is the Golf Diesel (excuse me?)

Singleton of Dufftown 'Spey Cascade' (40%, OB, +/2014)

I find the flat bottle lovely. Colour: gold. Nose: near-blend. Ripe apples, honey, Ovaltine, quinces, caramel, toffee, raisins, pears, café latte, pencil shavings. I’d have liked it better without the pencil shavings, but I don’t find this repulsive. Mouth: light, mainly on ripe fruits – and mainly on apples and pears. A touch of honey, triple-sec, raisins, cake, Mars bar, toffee, milk chocolate. Thin body, but I wouldn’t call it ‘weak’. Finish: rather short, on raisins and caramel. A touch of ginger and sawdust in the aftertaste. Comments: I’d say this is good malt for blend drinkers. After all, it is some kind of pre-Lagavulin. SGP:441 - 75 points.

Singleton of Dufftown 'Artisan' (40%, OB, +/-2015)

This is the expensive NAS Dufftown. Colour: gold. Nose: a similar style, but this is better rounded, and rather more herbal. Warm butter, walnut cake, finger cakes, quite a lot of chamomile, whiffs of old chardonnay barrel, some rubbed leaves (fern?)… In truth I find this rather complex and subtle. Like. Mouth: it is good whisky. Herbal and slightly phenolic, with drops of smoked tea, then rather Seville oranges, raisins, honeydew, a touch of sandalwood, ripe greengages and mirabelles. So it’s easy and rather subtle at the same time. Not even the low strength is problematic. Finish: a little short, but delicately honeyed. Pencil shavings again in the aftertaste, but nothing to worry about (too much). Ovaltine and a little chlorophyll. Comments: I find it good and relaxing. Mucho quaffable. SGP:541 - 81 points.

Check the index of all Dufftown I've tasted so far

Pete McPeat and Jack Washback