Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old

1. My comment about the ugly bottle is not about appearances, more about practicality - the shape of the bottle makes it look huge and it's not practical to store with other bottles. Maybe it makes it stand out at the bar, but then the greenish glass is rather ugly. Just sort of unattractive. Mind you, I bought the bottle to give the malt a chance, despite the looks.

2. Confusion about provenance - if you read up on Singleton, you'll see that in the American market it offers "Singleton of Glendullan" (12, 15 and 18 all at 40% abv), in Europe it's "Singleton of Dufftown" and there's also a different version in Asia. Same ugly bottles and brand name "Singleton". I think that's confusing, customers expect the distillery name to be the brand of a single malt.

3. The malt itself is not vile, you won't pour it down the drain, very drinkable, somewhat sweet, generally true to description on label with not much more interest or uniqueness. Quite heavy on E150a - initial impression was rather "meh", gradually it grew on me, relatively speaking. Why even use the ugly green glass if you're using a colorant to lend a "beautiful" color? Or rather: why use colorant if you use green glass? Of course, that goes for many a distillery. I did finish the bottle, but for the price you can do much better with Glenmorangie 10, Glenfiddich 12, Glenlivet 12, Old Pulteney 12, Speyburn 10. No repeat purchase from me. I might revisit if Singleton comes up with a traditional bottle and offers natural color products at higher abv, would love to really taste the distillery character. Thank you.

9th February 2018

It’s a nice scotch. It’s fresh, it’s got some malty and some oaky notes sure but it’s very light.

19th January 2018

Very pleasant honey/malt/fruit nose typical of the Highland region. The palate is quite light and unremarkable. Finishes with peaches and a touch of vanilla for me. Price point is critical with this one. Unless it is cheaper, no reason to chose this one over other entry level Highland malts.

16th December 2017

Pleasant, soft and the "kindest" whisky ever tasted! Delicious and nice.

9th June 2017

Maybe I got a bad batch looking at other reviews, barely any character, just a sharp undesirable taste like a cheap bottom shelf single malt. The bottle design is quite stupid also as a full bottle falls over at the slightest nudge or table wobble.

28th April 2017

I have difficulty believing this is a single malt. It has a rough edge but not Islay rough, more like a low-end whisky sort of rough. I like strong tastes like lagavulin 16 and laphroaig quarter cask but there had better be some smoothness to it. I get that some people might be buying this one because the price is right but if you wanted something nicer in a comparable range I would prefer a Nikka. It's not awful but I won't waste time and money with this one again.

26th April 2017

One of the best I've tasted.

30th December 2016

Es muy suave, nada de turba whisky para tomar dia a dia, el precio es muy bueno a mi esposa le encanta!!

23rd December 2016

My boyfriend cant love without it!

16th November 2016

Nice whisky. Rather thick! Haven't encountered that before... Thumbs up

7th November 2016

Excellent drop smooth to be enjoyed slowly .

27th October 2016

I had read quite a few positive reviews for this Scotch, and I love the price point, so I decided to give it a whirl. Maybe I've got a bottle from a bad batch, but my first impression was that it was a bit thin, uncomplicated, and generally lacking. That isn't to say it is bad, but it isn't 'good', simply 'ok'. It actually felt like a blend to me. Not a total loss, this bottle will be relegated to a 'house Scotch', assigned to the lower shelf with the likes of Grant's Family Reserve and Cutty Sark Prohibition (both of which I prefer to this), and offered to those less likely to know the difference.

2nd October 2016

Just nice. Doesn't pretend.

8th September 2016

loving it in colombia

31st July 2016

Great taste and very smooth. Best whisky ever tasted in terms of single malt whisky. I would recommend every one who likes drinking whisky.

17th July 2016

A straight forward whisky which delivers as promised, but no more. I prefer an Oban or the Glenmorangie because theres a lot more depth in the taste and aftertaste...

21st June 2016

Yes, the tasting note by the chaps at Master of Malt is spot on when in come to nose and palate, but I'm not agree when it comes to the finish. The finish keeps oak, yes, but it's not rich with good length. The finish is most of all a sweet goodbye (and welcome back) from the toffee. Some fruits there, that's true.

It's so smooth, or should it be a little more punchy..? Maybe it's not meant to be the punchy whisky. No, it's meant to be that smooth nutty toffee...

For it's age, for it's price... Ok, I liked it. Over the average level.

7th May 2016

I normally drink smoky whiskeys like Laphroaig but this was a really nice single malt.

24th March 2016

Haah raki! I think that guy must have indulged in a bit too much honey bee grayanotoxin when he went to Turkey. Very smooth and comparable to the accomplished Glenlivet 12 in that price bracket

14th March 2016

It has a low profile Turkish/Bulgarian raki "nose" and "plate", that has medium anise flavor . . . its not naturally smoth or balanced its sharp and yeah naturally rich.You might like your nose in side the glass but the "plate" ? Orange zest spiciness cmon . . .its just anise . . . go drink raki in Turkey, u will enjoy it if you like this, Turks say "raki balik". Try it !!! This one just calls it in a cheaper way.

27th January 2016

Outstanding

30th December 2015

I drink only JW Black Label or Platinum label, I bought one bottle of Singleton when I was coming from USA, now I wish I could buy few more. Cheers, Singleton rocks on the rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!

18th December 2015

Very smooth and easy to drink. With a good smoke.

9th December 2015

Insane the good grades this whisky gets on the web. Is it the cheap price? Is someone hiring peolple to leave comments? I don't know. I don't understand why Glenfiddich gets so much heat for being to simple and little intense. Well Singleton is even less intense. Mind, it has a good taste profile. No faults, no moldy barrel, no glue aftertaste, no bitterness, not excedengly sweet, nicely fruite (apples, pears) but there is just so little of anything here. It's the first time I honestly think of the concept "watered down". Even so, perfect beginners dram but for people looking for something more well.. it falls short.

6th November 2015

It is a good dram. But the heat, that came out of the Dufftown bottle leads me to believe it is bottled at a little higher volume than 40. I be back for more.

1st September 2015

We bought a bottle on the way back from the the far north west of Scotland.
It has lasted for only six weeks. I wish we had purchased more.

4th July 2015

First impression when opened the bottle I almost got dissapointed. It reminded me of a blend I am not that fond of... but second impression and when I tasted it I was so positive impressed by the malty barley sweetness and the thickness in this whisky. Something I have been looking for for a while in whiskies. Goes very well alongside a good cup of coffee.

6th April 2015

First impression when opened the bottle I was almost dissapointed. Thought I had bought something like Famous Grouse. A blend I personally do not find attractive. But in comparison this malt is way over FG. I think! The malty barley sweetness is so much to like. Something I have long looked for in whiskies. A drop of water open this malt up. It goes so very well alongside a good cup of coffee anytime a day! I will be happy to present it for friends/family and hear there opinion on this on. I surely see why the supermarked almost have not enough bottles of this one.

5th April 2015

This is a wonderful scotch, rich and smooth with lovely texture. the taste and more so the after taste leaves you wanting for more. Since not many people have tried it yet its fun to introduce it to them.

Enjoyed my last with a cohiba on a cold saturday evening.

22nd February 2015

when i die, i want to be embalmed with this whiskey, in fact, just let me have my final rest in one of the cask's.
this is the best i ever had.

7th February 2015

I cautiously purchased two bottles, When I tasted I realized I should have bought more than two. This drinks so easily, just slips down the throat like honey.. a bottle doesn't last long.. especially if you've a friend who likes single malts too !

27th January 2015

Excellent, smooth tasting with a multitude of flavours and tastes.I'm an old malt "hand" but it is an very good whiskey for new fans.

15th January 2015

Very smooth, lovely balanced indeed. Got it as a present from my colleagues. All I can say is that I should have tried it years ago. Absolutely recommend it. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

12th January 2015

Opened it up on Christmas and enjoyed a finger. Smooth and delicious without any oily or petrol notes.

26th December 2014

Nice smooth whisky with a toasted/dried fruit background. I get; sultanas, citrus peel, fig ? Nice gentle wood nose, Nice finish. Actually a great whisky at this price point. I highly recommend this. Would be a good starter single malt.

I need to add a footnote here; I didn't buy this for a long time because of Jim Murrays tasting notes, then my local supermarket in Ireland had a sale and this was about €40/bottle so I said I'd have a go. I normally agree with Jim but he is way way off base on this one, this is a nice whisky.

20th December 2014

This is one great single malt. Great full and slightly spicy nose that completely prepares you for the taste, which is also great. Orange, toffee, spice, oak, a whisper of smoke, and as smooth a 12 year old as I've tasted. Zero throat burn, just that warm tingle that reminds you that you're drinking alcohol. Not the best I've tasted but extremely good and absolute best value for money as I've seen thus far: in my area it is 22.00 CAD cheaper than Dalmore 12 which is perhaps most similar in taste and quality as I've experienced. Great job Dufftown!

3rd December 2014

Smooth.

24th October 2014

I mostly like peaty whiskies - Ardbeg probably most of all - but sometimes want a contrast, and I think the Singleton is my favourite standby contrast. It is also available very cheap if you are in a supermarket in France: roughly £20!

17th October 2014

A very smooth malt,with enough taste ,very nice to drink

27th September 2014

Very interesting specimen of whiskey, but very,
very underrated in Europe! Great representative of Speyside!

16th September 2014

Nice whisky,excellent tasten, Nice to drink. Love iT!

22nd August 2014

I enjoy this but I would not put it ahead of The Glenlivet. I find more interest in the Glenlivet taste. However this is a malt not to be missed and it may be more to your taste. I would fully recomend it.

18th July 2014

I can't think of a whisky that is as carefully balanced as this one. It's not too vague, but also not too pronounced. It manages to keep you in the 'sweet spot'. It never bores, never disappoints, never offends. By far THE best bang-for-your-buck whisky out there!

7th June 2014

I am a regular glenlevit drinker and one day last week I walked into a liquor store and saw bottle, I was instantly attracted to it and took it home for cheaper than the Glen. I went back again to get the bottle but it was sold out and out of distribution, very sad for me. My girlfriend who is a non scotch drinker loved it and is also going around town helping me find a bottle. If anyone has an idea where I'd find it in Houston TX, please post

22nd May 2014

Dear reader, today on my 56 anniversary, I had the pleasure to taste for the very first time your 12 year old Singleton. I can tell you that I am overwelmd by the smooth and delicious taste of your single malt scotch.

17th May 2014

Just bought this at a great price in Cape Town..on special at Makro..the equivalent of Cosco here. Settled down just now with my first sip. Lovely nose.. The European cask aging comes through ..with a lovely deep woody, sweet whiff.
On the palate I thought this was really smooth, with a complex character that has to be appreciated ... I will definitely share this with guests very selfishly.

20th March 2014

As a newcomer, it's easy to love this scotch. Soft, fresh, delicious.

13th March 2014

Spotted this attractively packaged and priced little number whilst holidaying in Samoens, France. Instantly whisk(y)ed to the side of a wide Speyside river, old cane trout rod in hand, casting across with a Bloody Red Butcher. Like a searing steely rivet fresh hued into the side of my mouth...it burns. Soaring high as a Golden Eagle across Glenfeshie reaching peaks of rough hewn granite where crystal clear water starts its journey to the sea below. Time for a other dram wee Laddie......to be continued.

25th February 2014

This whisky is very smooth and easy to drink. I went through the bottle much faster than expected!

5th February 2014

This one is a good, but rather traditional Speyside;not a challenge, ut still nice as evening drink

28th January 2014

First of all: the bottle is beautiful. Very smart packaging. I actually think some people WANT to like it because of the good looks.

On the nose it doesn't bring a lot. Some sweetness, some barley. Than the taste is just that: NOT smooth. I don't get why people call this 'smooth' and 'so easy'. There is a hint of orange that appeals, but then afterwards you get a sharp edge that just ruins it. Not that I hate 'sharpness' because it CAN be functional in a certain dram, but this is just a cheap kind of sharp. One of the most dissapointing buys in a while.

If you like easy going, you can find a lot better in the same price category. For example a Glengrant 10y or a Balvenie DoubleWood 12y.

23rd January 2014

I love this mild single malt with just enough flavor. My friends who used to only drink blends now also like this. So I am getting them to trade up.

4th December 2013

Good stuff, mellow accessible not to complex but good starter stuff and enough for you to keep coming back for. Managed to pick up in booker with two glasses 24 which can't be bad.

4th November 2013

I've had this one before and remember it being very smooth with a rich nutty, malty sweetness. I have just picked one up from Tesco for £22 (real bargain)and can't wait to open it and see if it is as good as I remember.

2nd November 2013

Absolutely first class. Nuff said. This was bought as a leaving gift from my work mates. To take the time and effort to get this a gift for me was truly humbling. I'll treasure this. I only tried my first single malt on a jaunt in the cairngorms in the summer. I was so takentthat I couldn't wait to buy a bottle. For my friends to do me this honour is wonderful.

29th October 2013

This one my dad, Andrew bought for me. Was included as 1 of 4 little bottles in a whisky set. I chose one at random and sat down to drink. Never really drank much whiskey but this has opened the door for me to try more. Singleton melts when it hits your lips then spreads and smothers more of your taste buds. Sweet and a little spicy, really great taste. I do want more, thats why i ended up here, after searching for Singleton. 8/10. My journey into the vast tastes has really only just begun so i'm leaving room for improvement ;p

29th August 2013

My favourite whisky, very easy to drink ... almost too easy.

28th May 2013

I love this whiskey! Veeery smooth, perfect served neat!

21st June 2012

World Whiskies Awards 2012 - Singleton of Dufftown 12yo wins - "Best Speyside 12 years and under"! I like this malt!!!

18th May 2012

If your like me and really enjoy your malts but cannot afford the really aged stuff, then this is for you.

Highly recommended

30th January 2012

A very drinkable whisky. Smooth and flavoursome.

12th December 2011

Deserves more than Jim Murray's 71, I'd rate it a nice round 80.
If you see it on offer snap it up.

5th October 2011

I'm at chatsworth country fair and stumpled across a stall doing free samples. the staff was all smart dressed, with the latest gadgets. But could only tell me the whisky was from dufftown in the speyside area. well i must say apart from there lack of knowledge it was a really nice drop of gods water.

3rd September 2011

I had the same nice experience with this whisky. I've never tried a whisky so easy to drink and flavored. Definitely I'd recommend it for starters.

8th August 2011

My wife and I bought a sampler pack which included a 5cl bottle of this. We got it just to try out for a one off new experience sort of thing. But we were seduced by this pleasant drinking 'winter warmer'. I would recommend this for those starting out on the Malt adventure. Its well rounded, tasty and nice finish. The other Malts in the sampler were strong with odd aftertastes [to us]. But we'll be returning to this one.

6th March 2011