Deep within the Scottish Highlands lay Glen Ord distillery, the last single malt distiller on the Black Isle. Together, the waters of White Burn and barley of the isle gift us The Singleton, a whisky which has been making waves in the amber hued ocean of entry-level single malts. With a gold medal from 2015’s Global Scotch Whisky Masters under their belt, they have since captured Taiwan with its approachable yet vibrant expressions – the 12, 15 and 18 Years Old.
Each bottling carries years of expertise from master distillers, with one focus in mind; to bring the joy of the dram to a new generation of drinkers. Singapore, alone, has seen a surge in appreciators of a fine dram, but it remains a young market. Its varying palette has proven daunting to many wanting more than just a buzz out of the bottle. In comes The Singleton, where it presents itself as a balanced and versatile entry-level drink. Poured neat to ease to into evening, or, enjoyed in a refreshing cocktail; there are many ways to savour and begin a journey into the world of whiskies.
The magic comes in with another essential element of taste; pairing The Singleton expressions with our favourite snacks.
12-Year-Old
We start off with the multi-award-winning 12 Year Old. The inviting nose of orange peels warms you up into the gingers and dark chocolate finish, making it a nice pair with everyone’s guilty pleasure – crispy pork belly. It adds on flavour, all while cutting through the richness.
The sweet, sour Yu Sheng makes an even better pairing, matching the fresh, zesty notes. As we toss the rainbow medley of auspicious ingredients into the air, remember to follow with a toast of that deep shining amber for some good luck, or, as we usually say in gusto, “huat ah!”
15-Year-Old
When faced with the elegant floral nose of the 15 Years Old, the sweet yet savoury Bak Kwa comes to mind. This thinly grilled delight is available all year round, in all sorts of flavours. Whether original, nyonya or, even, pineapple flavours, the indulgent snack pairs well with the tropical notes of melon. That said, pineapple tarts could very well work with the 15 Year Old as well. The contrasting spice flavours are sure to keep you reaching for more – of both.
18-Year-Old
Dried fruits and chocolate flavours have me reaching for the melt-in-your-mouth Kueh Bangkit cookies. The underlying coconut flavour of the treat does a quiet waltz with the 18-Year-Old on the palette.
