40-year-old Singleton unveiled at art exhibition

The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years is the third and last bottling in the Epicurean Odyssey series. A 38-year-old and a 39-year-old Singleton of Glen Ord were already released. The whisky, which Diageo's press release describes as "Decadent", is presented in Shanghai as part of an extraordinary exhibition. In this experiential exhibition, visitors are guided through various rooms with art installations, in which their senses are to be brought to special perceptive capacity through sensory maximalism. before enjoying the whisky.

In the exhibition, called "The Rooms of Maximalism", artists Zhou Yilun, Found Studio and Moodsonic bring to life the maturation, power and richness of the spirit through interpretations through 'Flow', 'Collision' and 'Richness', explains the current press release.

Neuroscientist Katherine Templar Lewis says: “Neuroaesthetics tells us how outside influences can heighten our senses and prime them to create the ultimate tasting experience. Through deploying various tactics which affect the five senses and beyond, individuals can achieve this state of Sensorial Maximalism before they enjoy The Singleton 40-Year-Old. In addition to my research and collaboration with some incredible artists through The Singleton 40-Year-Old, I’ve also created a guide on how individuals can strive for this experience at home.”

This guide can be found on a Diageo themed page here.

A finish in rum casks

Commenting on the Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years, Master of Malt Maureen Robinson explains, “The Singleton 40-Year-Old is the finale in the Epicurean Odyssey series from The Singleton, one which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed crafting and have drawn on my own personal journey of flavour from my career as a whisky maker. At the end of this very extensive secondary maturation we sought out specially selected Ron Zacapa XO casks for a final indulgent finish to the whisky, which deliver an intensely rich, fruity and smooth finish to bring deep notes of dark chocolate. The result: a whisky that epitomises my desire to seek out new flavour through craft, and a whisky at its most maximal.”

The Singleton 40 Years Old was bottled at 45.9% ABV and will be released in the UK at a price of £3,300.

Singleton of Glen Ord has been released for several years as part of Diageo's Special Releases.

Tasting notes for the Singleton 40 Years

Appearance: Deep amber with copper lights.

Nose: The nose is mellow, with a little prickle at first; fruity top notes hint at dried apple and are soon backed by a more savoury aroma evoking sage, while richer hints of fruit, suggesting plums enrobed in dark chocolate, sit on a balancing base of sweetly spicy oak, with light aromas of hard toffee and oak shavings. A drop of water introduces a wisp of waxy smoke.

Body: Light to medium.

Palate: At natural strength, the texture is decadently smooth and lightly waxy while the taste starts sweet, vibrant and very fruity, becoming slightly salty and plum sour mid-palate. Complex layers of flavour suggest pears slathered indulgently in dark chocolate and caramelised tropical fruits, as with toffee-covered banana and pineapple. Beautifully balanced and super-smooth, with sustained rich, sweet fruitiness balanced by slow-building black pepper. Velvet smooth dark chocolate tannins herald an appetising drying note. A drop of water emphasises the fruit and softens the spice, bringing out a mouth-cooling aftertaste.

Finish: Quite long, deep-flavoured and lightly drying, with black pepper spice and another hint of waxy smoke.

Images: Diageo