🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old
The core expression of The Singleton of Dufftown: 12 years, high share of European oak casks; 40% ABV.
The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old is the core expression of the whisky that Diageo bottles from Dufftown distillery in Speyside. According to Whiskynotes and Whisky for Everyone, the permanent range consists of the 12-, 15- and 18-year-old. Strength: 40% ABV, according to Difford's Guide.
The whisky is made from malted barley. According to Difford's Guide, it is matured with a high share of European oak casks. Whisky for Everyone notes that Diageo created The Singleton brand in 2006. Diageo's official website describes the aroma as toasted nuts and rich fruit, the taste as blackcurrant, brown sugar and coffee, and the finish as dry and clean.
Why this matters to you. Diageo's official website presents the 12-year-old as a starting point for those new to single malt whisky. The 15- and 18-year-old have the same strength, so the difference comes from longer maturation. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV |
|---|---|
| Minimum maturation | 12 years |
| Cask type | high share of European oak casks, according to Difford's Guide |
| Raw material | malted barley |
| EU category | 2 — whisky/whiskey |
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890): Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 Dufftown Distillery, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Bell's, 🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 18 Year Old, 🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 18 Year Old, 🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old, 🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that every The Singleton 12 comes from Dufftown?
No. Diageo sells The Singleton under that name from several distilleries; only versions marked “of Dufftown” come from Dufftown.
Which casks is The Singleton of Dufftown 12 matured in?
According to Difford's Guide, with a high share of European oak casks.
What is the strength of The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old?
40% ABV, according to Difford's Guide.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky — Malted barley is the base of whisky: malt enzymes convert starch in the mash, and EU whisky is distilled below 94.8% vol.
- 🥃 Bell's — Scottish blended whisky from Perth; Arthur Bell began blending in 1851; up to 40 whiskies; the heart of the blend is Blair Athol; 40% ABV; owned by Diageo.
- 🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 18 Year Old — The oldest core expression of The Singleton of Dufftown: 18 years, bourbon and sherry casks; 40% ABV.
Similar
🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Year Old · 🥃 The Singleton of Dufftown 18 Year Old · 🥃 Aultmore 12 Year Old · 🥃 Aultmore 18 Year Old · 🥃 GlenAllachie 18 Year Old · 🥃 Benromach Contrasts: Organic
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: The Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old (40 %; high proportion of European oak casks; origin of the name Singleton)
- Malts.com (Diageo, official): The Singleton of Dufftown 12, 15 & 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (distilled at Dufftown since 1896; 12 YO for new malt drinkers)
- Whiskynotes: Singleton of Dufftown 15 Years (19.06.2014; 40 %; three expressions: 12, 15 and 18 Year Old; Tailfire and Sunray launched 2014)
- Whisky for Everyone: Review — The Singleton of Dufftown 15 Years Old (04.03.2025; 40 %; core range 12, 15, 18 and Malt Master's Selection; created by Diageo in 2006)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
Also listed under
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskySpeyside whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch WhiskyDufftown Distillery
- SpiritsWhiskyScotch Whisky
- SpiritsWhiskyDufftown Distillery