The Singleton of Glendullan Exotic Spice Grove

This official Glendullan, at 42.8%. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt from Dufftown, once supplied to King Edward VII. Its water rises at the Goats Well spring in the Conval Hills above the distillery. Its founder also struck an exclusive supply deal with neighbouring Glenfiddich. A second distillery was built alongside the original in 1972, the two running together until the old plant closed in 1985. It was built in 1897 by William Williams and Sons, Aberdeen blenders, the seventh and last distillery raised in Dufftown.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for the green, grassy make Glendullan is known for. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending a creamy vanilla. Carrying no age, soft vanillin and orchard fruit suggest a fair spell in oak. Because the long fermentation keeps the spirit fresh and grassy, the cask shows clearly with time. A light, clean texture from the spirit carries through the maturation. Maturation runs slow and even in the warehouses at Dufftown.

Bottled at 42.8%, it is light and creamy. Pear, apple and a soft spice, lifted by a soft oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. The finish runs fresh, grassy and clean. This is a green, malty Speyside single malt.