The Singleton of Glendullan 18 Years Old

An 18 year old Glendullan, a distillery bottling, at 40%. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt, long a blending malt and now a name in its own right. Its water rises at the Goats Well spring in the Conval Hills above the distillery. It sits on the banks of the River Fiddich, in the heart of Speyside. Its founder also struck an exclusive supply deal with neighbouring Glenfiddich.

Run slowly off the spirit still, for the green, grassy make Glendullan is known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin and a soft coconut under the malt. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds tropical esters of mango and pineapple over a creamy depth. A light, clean texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit. Because the long fermentation keeps the spirit fresh and grassy, the cask shows clearly with time.

At an approachable 40% it is fresh and clean. A fresh orchard fruit and a malty sweetness, lifted by a soft oak. Beneath it run green apple, pear and a soft grass. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Speyside single malt of easy charm.