Singleton of Dufftown 12 review

Sometimes making/doing whisky reviews is easier than others. Sometimes the whisky being reviewed is a bit poor and so, appearing enthusiastic can be difficult. Sometimes, because of the way green-screening (chromo-key) works, labeling or bottle colours can cause headaches making the editing side of things much more difficult than it need be. Sometimes...just sometimes.........both!
Enjoy.
Singleton of Dufftown: www.thesingleton.com/
Music: Sleeplessness: / @donguyrockwell
Additional Music: Me
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Please let me know your thoughts and queries on this (or any of my other videos) in the comments section.
Single Malt: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using malted barley.
Single Grain: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using one or a selection of grains (usually corn, wheat, rye, etc.)
Blended Malt: Whisk(e)y made by blending single malts from more than one distillery.
Blended Grain: Whisk(e)y made by blending single grains from more than one distillery.
Blended Scotch: Whisky made by blending single malt and single grain (whiskies) from one or more distilleries.
N.A.S. Non age stated whisky. No age on bottle.
U.S. Proof: Proof is 2 x ABV. Example…100 Proof = 50% ABV.
Imperial/British Proof: ABV is 4/7 of Proof. Example…100 Proof = 57.1% ABV.
#thewhiskeynovice #Wednesdaywhiskyreview #BakersDozen

[@budj13]

Jim you are doing a service to those who are early in their journey and exploring lower cost expressions. Years back when I began "exploring" the spectrum of whisky out there, I bought a bottle of this. I won't buy another. But, it served as a reference point along my journey. You nailed it-- generic, basic, Speyside, Diageo whisky. Not bad, and can serve as an introduction to Scotch for those a bit afraid of a stronger dram. Thanks for another excellent review.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Thank you Bud 🙏. Thankfully (for me) my upcoming reviews improve on what I've been doing over the last few weeks. I mean yes, these whiskies do and should have a place on our journeys but, when progressing, it can be difficult to find positives in the basics. Can only review it for what it is I guess. Cheers my friend.

[@peathead4450]

Decent review as usual, Jim. Great you've added this expression in the series. I invite other viewers to look at the other reviews in the series as well if only for comparison. Not a great fan of this one myself. I prefer more complex whiskies, but for what it is not a bad whisky. Slàinte mhath

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Thank you Frank 🙏 Slàinte my friend.

[@AlReyn]

Thanks for highlighting this Jim - basic & bland. £35 isn't cheap for a bottle of booze but we consider it cheap because we think nothing of spending £70,80+ on a good bottle of whisky. Its easy to lose sight of the money we spend and take anything spent under £50 for granted. If you like wine, think about the quality bottle you could purchase for £35! There's no need to buy basic bottles like this, it's cunning marketing exploiting people to part with their money who know no better - in other words taking the piss! It's good that people like you are around to inform and educate people before parting with their hard earned cash. Bravo to you sir! 👏

[@WhiskeyNovice]

🙏 why thank you Al. That's very kind of you to say. And you're 100% right buddy...it is a piss take. I'd be scared to actually (try to) add up how much I've spent on whisky (a lot of them cheap) over the years but hey...the enjoyment was worth it. I am now happier though, to spend that £70-80+ and hope I'm going to get my money's worth. Cheers buddy.

[@greigmartin4339]

My brother gifted me this on my birthday. It got dumped straight into auction with Jura Journey, Tamnavulin Double Cask and a couple of other gifted munters. The proceeds amounted to a Bruichladdich Islay Barley. Upgrade.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 brilliant! Cheers Greig.

[@howardfoster4393]

Hi Jim…you are bang on with this review. Like some of your other viewers, I bought a bottle of this early in my whiskey journey. At the time I thought it was okay. However, once I started to explore whiskies with higher ABV, no colour and NCF I soon realised that it is a fairly basic whiskey. It has its place and is certainly not a bad place to start your whiskey journey…..but you’ll soon move on !….cheers

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Howard. It really is a basic dram and there are actually other basic single malts in this price range that I would recommend ahead of this but...they all have a place I guess.

[@jeffmill999]

A public service review indeed....Cheers.... You make me laugh out loud watching this..

[@WhiskeyNovice]

😉 cheers Jeff.

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Nice review as usual mate.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Gert.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I bought a bottle of this a few years back for my uncle and it was inoffensive & pleasant enough for under $30. I think they've recently changed the unique bottle to something more traditional. That being said, regardless of how nice the bottle is, Speyside blendfiller is never going to wow you; think Balvenie 12, that's what this whisky reminds me of...but at about half the price ✌️

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Chris. Yeah, Balvenie 12 doesn't rate too highly in my book either.

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

Nailed it Jim. Unremarkable stuff and I don't mind a drop of that Winter's Gold when there's a good bargain to be had. Cheers bud.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Alan. Good to see you're still reviewing too. Don't want you going anywhere big lad.

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

@@WhiskeyNovice Not planning to go anywhere my auld mucker. Was at the respiratory consultant today and, God love him, he seems to want me to stick around for a while too, which is encouraging (well at least that what he inferred😂).

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Glad to hear it matey 😉

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Jim, emm 🤔 haven’t had this in donkeys years, can’t even remember if I liked it or not?? Suppose its out there for the casual whisky drinker that will say (has he drinks it from a tumbler) “ this is nice and sweet then chucks in the ice. Needless to say that I enjoyed the review Jim. Slàinte Mhath.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers David. If you haven't had it for a long time, I imagine you'd be quite underwhelmed mate. You're 100% correct in my opinion. One for the ice and tumbler. Slàinte buddy.

[@drewfromaz7740]

This review reminded me of when I bought my Dad a Singleton of Glendullan 18 year, seeking to upgrade his whisky experience from the Clan Macgregor 1.75L he always bought locally for ~$18US. Not sure how similar the Dufftown is to the Glendullan (always confused me a bit with the Singleton releases...) but from his reference point, he told me it was a big upgrade. Not sure if he was possibly basing that predominantly on the 18 years - - who knows 😂Cheers my friend!

[@WhiskeyNovice]

I think I've had a dram of the Glendullan Drew but, it was no more than a dram and probably 12 years old so... Once again it was basic but hey. Cheers my friend.

[@drewfromaz7740]

@@WhiskeyNovice when I first read your reply I thought you said you were 12 when you had it 😆

[@gavsdrams]

Looking forward to meeting you at the Glasgow whiskey festival second session Nor a singleton fan

[@WhiskeyNovice]

I'm actually going over for session 1 now Gav. A friend said he had a ticket for me. I think there are plans for Aqvavitae barflies to meet in the evening though if you're interested? I hope to meet as many of you lot as possible. Not gonna miss this opportunity.

[@jackthepickledhound]

Someone commented about a marketing plot to separate novice customers from their money for the fabulous green bottles 12 year scotch single malt. This sounds like blend filler . I wish, I pray to the gods that Diageo would just stop clogging up the shelf with crap like this. Unfortunately the market demands smooth basic single malts that drink like blends but cost more. Wouldn't monkey shoulder be a better dram? I started my journey, when I committed myself to learning wtf was going on with the vast selection and variation in prices of whisky I started with Loch Lomond 12 and Glengarry 12(also from Loch Lomond). Both 46% with coloring and probably chill filtered and cheap. But the taste!!!! it was really something that peaked my curiosity more than my pleasure sensor. I was looking at the half bottle of caramel Glengarry today, it's finally settling down into a decent dram. So yes, I am proud to say that I never bothered with basic Diageo 40% Speysiders.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

I would have to agree Matt. If this was dirt cheap and on the bottom shelf of the supermarket in an unassuming bottle...then I could understand it. But it's glossy and boxed and marketed like you're getting something for your money. What you get, is ripped off. Monkey Shoulder would be better. Cheers buddy.

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@WhiskeyNovice OMG. My shop has the 12 and the 18 Glendullan. Ultimate Spirits Challenge scores 95 and 93. I guess Diageo sponsors that competition. The 12 is cheap enough but the 18 is more than Tomatin 18, Cairdeas, Corryvrecken and Glenallachie 15. But it's much less than my favorite, the new and downgraded Glenlivet 18

[@richardagnew4959]

You've done me a service, sir! $57 CDN here in Ontario. Will swerve. I've also had a wee sample of the Winter's Gold. Is there something about keeping it in the freezer and then drinking it? Not sure. Can't remember. Anyways, thanks again, mucker! :)

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Rich. There may well have been something about freezing this buddy. I know this was suggested for the JW White Walker but it's not something I've tried, or wish to. Really don't like cold whisky. Yeah leave the Singleton on the shelf mate.

[@jackthepickledhound]

@@WhiskeyNovice the white walker is all about freezing the bottle to see the night king. So you don't actually have to open the bottle to get the best effect.

[@primewhisky]

Great vid Jim, not a favourite of mine this one

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Rikard. Shouldn't imagine too many would claim this as a favourite....hopefully.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

LOL! I had a very similar experience. So affordable I had to buy, but ... I will not buy again. Winter's Gold? I have not had it. Your recommendation did not sound convincing ;) Thanks for your thougths. cheers!

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Cheers Jon. It wouldn't take much to be better than this Singleton. The Winter's Gold was at hand 😄! Slàinte buddy.

[@maltymission]

Wow, 10:44 minutes is about 10 minutes more than I'd be willing to spend talking about this particular whisky. "It's a Speyside with everything you'd expect from a Speyside, but also very basic, not to say generic". There, done. It's an entry level, supermarket whisky. Not bad, but definitely not good either. You may now collect your medal for bravery and perseverance, Jim.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🙏thank you Menno. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to challenge oneself 😉🤣

[@WhiskeyNovice]

🤣🤣🤣

[@tombularbells]

I like the Singleton 18. Am I "outing myself" now Menno? 😉

[@maltymission]

@@tombularbells haven't had that, but after the 22, tailfire and 15 being all a bit meh, I gave up

[@tombularbells]

@@maltymission Ah you just missed the good one 🤣

[@ADSCP]

In your opinion is it better than the Glenffidich 12?

[@WhiskeyNovice]

Personally, I think the Glenfiddich edges it Antonio.

[@andrewj8920]

What do you do with the remainders of bottles that you aren't so keen on? I suspect that you have enough good alternatives available to you that you will never have a reason to drink this again after reviewing it.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

D'ya know that's a great question Andrew. I do have a lot of part bottles. I'm actually going to have a bit of a bottle killing early this year. Not good for the whisky sitting too long and, frankly, I've run out of room 😁. Cheers.

[@Andre-nt4dn]

So, another whisky I don't have to buy! But why don't you review the Inchmurrin 12 or Glen Elgin 12 , or the lowlander Glenkinchie 12 ? You'll be surprised.

[@WhiskeyNovice]

All those whiskys are on the list André. There will be at least one or two other series of Bakers Dozen. Plenty of 12yr old scotches to review. Cheers buddy.