A single malt 12 year old Speyside Scottish whisky.
At least that's what it states on the back side of the box it came in. Hinting at the honey sweetness of this 12 year old Singleton. With it's 40 percent it's not cask strength, but very smooth to drink. No water, no ice cubes, no chilled stones, and I even tend to hand warm it. Because the flavors and smell of any whisky I do tend to appreciate more that way. Not like in them movies like: "Make it a double Scotch on the rocks." Guess I would have a hard time acting that I actually would like it. Yes, I know, it's probably some cold tea, no real booz. That's why I never became an actor.
This smooth whisky has been layered on several Oak casks. Like PX (the very Sweet Pedro Ximinez), Olorose (the Sherry with the light sourly taste) and refill Bourbon (adding corn Sweetness) casks. The smell, to me, is sweet flowery, with hints of honey and vanilla. Besides the little alcohol burn, that makes it more intense. The soft sweet taste of the Singleton 12 stays behind. Which gives it a very pleasant aftertaste. Compared to a Tomintoul 10, for example, I do find it more honey sweet.
When I imagine some snack with this Whisky, I would choose a young Gouda cheese and fresh sausage with cloves (it's known as Groninger Metworst here, difficult to translate.) And for a meal I would choose a Stew, with some black pepper punch added. Or an Indonesian dish spiced up with Sambal Badjak. It needs to have a little whip on the tongue effect. Some afterburner that combines nicely with the smoothness of the Singleton 12.
After the peet smokey Islay Laphroaig, the Tamduh, Tomintoul and others I can state that I'm pleasantly surprised by the Singleton 12. It's a drink to slowly enjoy and ponder about the meaning of life. While the spirit moves from the bottle into ones brain and it's time to hit the sack. It is at these moments that I miss a fireplace with hissing and crackling burning wood sounds. Even the warmth is nicer than that coming from a central heating. (Of course I could light my wooden table on fire.) But hey, one cannot have everything at once always. So I guess I'll settle for another glass of this Barley sweetness, while listing to Tensiltown in the rain.
The photo is my own.
