Quick Verdict
Distillery: Dufftown (Diageo)
Region/Style: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 43%
Age: 21 Years
Cask Type: Trinity Cask Harmony (Pedro Ximénez Seasoned, Oloroso Seasoned, Refill Ex-Bourbon, finished in European Oak)
Price Range (UK): £179.95–£198.95
Colour/Filtration: Natural colour, non-chill filtered
Award: Double Gold – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025
My Rating: 8.7/10
This is a rich, sherried Speyside that leans toward special occasions while still being approachable enough for experienced regular drinkers. The Trinity Cask Harmony process delivers layers of sweet peaches, ginger spice, and burnt orange, wrapped in a creamy texture. At around £180, this represents fair value among 21-year-old single malts.
Best For: Gifts under £200, sherried Speyside fans, special-occasion sippers, whisky enthusiasts stepping up from 12–15-year-old expressions.
TL;DR
- Fair price at ~£180 for 21-year-old sherried Speyside
- Best for gifts and special occasions, not daily sipping
- Non-chill filtered, 43% ABV, Double Gold SFWSC 2025
- Buy if you like rich, sweet sherry with balance and no peat
- Best UK deal: Master of Malt at £179.95
- Dufftown Whisky
- Original Box
- 70cl Standard
- 43% ABV
- Produced in Scotland
Table of Contents
Is The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old Worth £180 in 2025?
Short Answer: Yes—this is fairly priced sherried Speyside whisky with legitimate quality credentials, best suited for special occasions and gifting rather than daily drinking.
Yes if:
- You want sherried Speyside with excellent balance between sweetness and spice
- You're seeking a gift-worthy bottle with competition awards and heritage
- You appreciate non-chill filtered whisky at 43% ABV with creamy texture
- You value smooth, refined luxury over aggressive, challenging flavours
No if:
- You prefer peat-forward or cask-strength expressions
- You're looking for maximum value under £100 for regular drinking
- You want cutting-edge independent bottlings with single cask character
Best price to pay: £179.95–£182.00 from UK specialist retailers
Should You Buy Singleton 21? Quick Decision Guide
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Budget under £100? | No – get Glenfiddich 15 Solera or Singleton 18 |
| Love heavy peat? | No – get Lagavulin 16 or Ardbeg 10 |
| Want sherried, balanced, under £200, giftable? | Yes – Singleton 21 makes sense |
| Need daily drinker? | No – too expensive, stick with 12–15-year-old expressions |
Where to Buy in the UK
Quick Buy Options (prices current as of December 2025):
| Retailer | Price | Why Buy Here |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Malt | £179.95 | Lowest price, free delivery |
| The Whisky Exchange | £182.00 | Free delivery over £100, premium packaging |
| Hard To Find Whisky | £198.95 | Birmingham store, same-day Click & Collect |
Why I'm Qualified to Review This
I'm Pasito Tola, founder and lead writer at Best Whiskey Guide. I created this platform to share honest, research-backed whisky reviews that help both newcomers and enthusiasts make informed buying decisions.
With a background in media production and engineering, I approach every review with both creativity and precision. I've been tasting and reviewing whisky since 2019, with over 200 bottles reviewed across Scottish, Irish, Japanese, and American categories.
For this review, I conducted structured tastings over two months (October-November 2025), examined UK retail pricing across multiple specialist merchants, and cross-referenced my notes with official distillery specifications and competition results. I taste, research, and write every article independently, without brand sponsorships.
How I Tested This Whisky
Testing Period: October–November 2025
Bottles Tested: One 70cl bottle, batch code verified
Sessions: Four formal tastings
Glassware: Glencairn glass
Conditions: Neat at 20°C, with a few drops of spring water in later sessions, rested 15 minutes
Scoring System: Scores are out of 10, where 5 = average, 8 = excellent, 9+ = outstanding in its category.
I tasted this whisky across different times of day to assess consistency. I also compared it against The Singleton 12-Year-Old (side-by-side during final session) and Glenfiddich 21 Gran Reserva (from detailed previous tasting notes) to understand competitive positioning.
Two tasting partners joined me for the final session. Both noted the creamy mouthfeel and sherried sweetness, with one describing it as "Christmas in a glass" and the other highlighting the burnt orange note that adds sophistication.
All bottle photos and tasting notes on this page are from my own bottle.
| Session | Date | Context | Nose | Palate | Finish | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 Oct 2025 | Evening, neat | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| 2 | 22 Oct 2025 | Afternoon, neat | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| 3 | 5 Nov 2025 | Evening, with water | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9/10 |
| 4 | 20 Nov 2025 | With tasting partners | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
The whisky showed excellent consistency across all sessions.
Awards and Recognition
The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old has earned recognition in blind international competitions:
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 – Double Gold
- International Spirits Challenge 2025 – Gold
These awards validate the technical quality and flavour balance that independent judges identified when tasting this whisky alongside competitors. Awards correct at time of writing; check the latest competition results if this matters to you.
Official tasting notes from Diageo describe "sherry-soaked peaches" and "fresh ginger" with a "creamy-smooth" texture, which aligns with my tasting experience.
The Tasting Experience: Nose, Palate, Finish
Appearance
Deep amber with copper highlights. The colour comes entirely from cask influence—no added caramel. Good legs on the glass, indicating viscosity.
Nose
Primary notes: Sweet, syrupy peaches dominate—classic Pedro Ximénez influence. This is rich and inviting.
Secondary notes: Fresh ginger provides spicy counterpoint. As the whisky breathes, Christmas compote emerges: stewed raisins, cinnamon, clove. Honeyed toast from the ex-bourbon casks appears after 15 minutes.
Development: The initial blast of sweet fruit settles into balance. The Oloroso casks contribute nutty, woody notes. The ginger spice becomes more prominent, adding complexity.
Palate
Texture: Creamy and viscous. The 43% ABV and non-chill filtration preserve fatty acid esters that give serious weight on the tongue.
Dominant flavours: Boiled fruit sweets and treacle toffee lead. The sweetness is controlled, never syrupy. Darker bramble fruits (blackberries) appear alongside peaches.
Supporting flavours: Burnt orange is the sophistication factor—caramelized citrus adds bitterness that balances sugar. Vanilla and coconut from bourbon casks allow the grassy Dufftown character to show through.
Finish
Long and dry. Sweetness fades gracefully, leaving gentle wood spice and a hint of char smoke from toasted oak. The finish lingers 45-60 seconds—excellent for 43% ABV.
The dryness means you can go back for another sip without palate fatigue.
What Others Say
At the time of writing, Whiskybase users score this around 87–88/100, and major UK retailers show average buyer ratings around 4.3/5. Critics appreciate the sherry integration yet some note the smoothness lacks the edge of cask-strength independents.
Flavour Profile Summary
| Element | Intensity (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | ●●●●○ |
| Spice | ●●●○○ |
| Fruit | ●●●●○ |
| Oak | ●●●○○ |
| Smoke | ●○○○○ |
Rating Breakdown
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nose | 8.5/10 | Rich, complex, layered. Sherry influence pronounced with good support. |
| Palate | 9/10 | Creamy texture, excellent balance, burnt orange adds sophistication. |
| Finish | 8/10 | Long and dry with pleasant wood spice. Graceful fade. |
| Value | 9/10 | Competitive pricing for age, quality, and production method. |
| Overall | 8.7/10 | Refined, crowd-pleasing Speyside that delivers on its promise. |
Community Rating: 4.3/5 (average across major UK retailers, December 2025)
This is very good whisky in the "special occasion" category, offering excellent quality for money in the 21-year-old single malt segment.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Trinity Cask Harmony delivers genuine complexity
- Non-chill filtered at 43% ABV preserves texture
- Sherried sweetness balanced by burnt orange bitterness
- Award-winning quality (Double Gold SFWSC 2025)
- Readily available from UK specialist retailers
- Excellent gift presentation
Cons
- Price limits this to occasional drinking for most buyers
- "Smoothness" may lack edge for cask-strength enthusiasts
- Requires specialist retailer—not in supermarkets
- The Singleton brand lacks prestige of Macallan or Glenfiddich names
How to Serve The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old
Neat (Recommended): Pour 35ml into a Glencairn glass. Let it breathe 10-15 minutes. The oxidation allows Christmas compote notes to separate from initial alcohol vapours.
With water: A single drop of spring water releases burnt orange oils and tames any heat. Don't overdo it—too much water drowns the ginger spice.
On ice: Not recommended. Ice locks down the complex sherry aromas.
Glassware: Glencairn or Copita glass to concentrate aromas. Avoid tumbler-style rocks glasses.
Temperature: Room temperature (18-20°C) is ideal.
Perfect Food Pairings
I tested this whisky with several foods to identify optimal matches:
Banoffee Pie: The toffee mirrors the treacle notes. Banana adds tropical sweetness complementing sherry-soaked peaches. This pairing scored highest.
Cheesecake (New York style): Cream cheese fat coats the mouth. Ginger spice cuts through brilliantly. Add berry compote to echo bramble fruit notes.
Dark chocolate (70% cocoa): Chocolate bitterness plays with burnt orange. Use single-origin dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate.
Aged cheddar: Mature cheddar (18+ months) offers savoury contrast. Crystalline texture and nutty notes work with Oloroso influence.
The Singleton Brand: What UK Buyers Need to Know
The Singleton requires explanation because it's architecturally unusual.
Three Distilleries, One Brand
The Singleton unifies three separate Diageo distilleries for different global markets:
- The Singleton of Glen Ord – Asian markets
- The Singleton of Glendullan – North American markets
- The Singleton of Dufftown – European and UK markets
What UK Buyers Actually Get
When you buy The Singleton in the UK, you're always getting Dufftown distillery liquid. A 21-Year-Old purchased in Taiwan or New York would be different whisky with different flavour profiles.
Diageo created this segmentation to build global volume without straining single distillery inventory. For UK buyers, The Singleton equals Dufftown—Speyside distillery with grassy, fruity character.
Where the 21-Year-Old Sits in the Range
Diageo categorizes the 21-Year-Old in its "Rare and Exceptional" tier, meaning specialist merchants and stable pricing rather than grocery store discounting.
The Singleton 18 vs 21: Which Should You Buy?
| Feature | Singleton 18-Year-Old | Singleton 21-Year-Old |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~£85 | ~£180 |
| ABV | 40% | 43% |
| Cask | European & American Oak | PX, Oloroso, Bourbon (Trinity Cask Harmony) |
| Flavour | Baked apple, cocoa, gentle spice | Sherry peaches, burnt orange, ginger |
| Texture | Soft, light-medium | Rich, creamy, viscous |
| Filtration | Chill-filtered | Non-chill filtered |
Quick Take: 18 = daily drinker value, 21 = special occasion/gifting.
My Verdict: Buy the 18-Year-Old for regular enjoyment if you drink aged single malts weekly. Buy the 21-Year-Old when you want to impress or celebrate. The quality jump is real.
Where the 21-Year-Old Sits in The Singleton Lineup
Price and Positioning Context
| Option | Price | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Singleton 18-Year-Old | ~£85 | Weekly premium sipper |
| Singleton 21-Year-Old | ~£180 | Special occasions and gifts |
| Macallan 18 Sherry Oak | £300-350 | Prestige/status bottle |
- 12-Year-Old (£40-45): Entry point. Fresh Speyside character. Read our Singleton 12 review.
- 15-Year-Old (£55-65): Sweet spot for daily drinking. More sherry influence.
- 18-Year-Old (£85): Premium daily drinker. Baked apple, cocoa complexity.
- 21-Year-Old (£180): Special occasion territory. Trinity Cask Harmony, non-chill filtered, award-winning.
- 25-Year-Old (£400+): Ultra-premium. Rare, complex, limited availability.
The 21-Year-Old sits at the entry point of true luxury in the range, offering 85-90% of the 25-Year-Old's complexity at 45% of the price.
UK Pricing and Where to Buy
Price Range: £179.95–£198.95 (all prices include VAT)
RRP Band: £190-200
Current Best Price: £179.95
Typical Promos: Rare—prestige expressions maintain price stability year-round
Last updated: December 2025. I'll refresh this page if pricing or availability shift significantly.
Detailed Retailer Breakdown
Master of Malt – £179.95
Lowest UK price. Free standard delivery, "Get it tomorrow" service available.
Shop Master of Malt
The Whisky Exchange – £182.00
Free delivery over £100, premium packaging.
Shop The Whisky Exchange
Hard To Find Whisky – £198.95
Birmingham Jewellery Quarter location. Click & Collect available for same-day pickup.
Shop Hard To Find Whisky
Outside the UK?
Availability and pricing for The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old vary significantly in the US and EU due to tax and distribution differences. Expect higher shelf prices and more limited availability, often via airport duty free or specialist importers. This review focuses on UK pricing and buying options.
How It Compares: The £180 Speyside Battle
| Whisky | Age | ABV | Style | UK Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singleton Dufftown 21 | 21 YO | 43% | Sherried Speyside (PX/Oloroso) | £179.95 | Balanced, crowd-pleasing luxury |
| Glenfiddich 21 Gran Reserva | 21 YO | 40% | Rum cask finish | £170-190 | Tropical fruit lovers |
| Glengoyne 21 | 21 YO | 43% | Heavy sherry bomb | £180-200 | Sherry purists |
| Balvenie 21 PortWood | 21 YO | 40% | Port cask finish | £200-220 | Wine-forward sophistication |
Safest gift at £180: Singleton 21—less challenging than Glengoyne, less experimental than Glenfiddich, more affordable than Balvenie. This makes it the safest bet when you don't know recipient's exact preferences.
If The Singleton 21 Isn't Quite Right for You
Want more peat? Try Lagavulin 16 (£70-80) for medicinal smoke and coastal brine, or Ardbeg 10 (£50-60) for aggressive peat. Best for: peat lovers.
Want cask-strength power? Try GlenAllachie 10 Cask Strength (£60-70) or Aberlour A'bunadh (£70-80). Both are sherried yet bottled at 55-60% ABV. Best for: whisky geeks seeking intensity.
Want better value? Try Glenfiddich 15 Solera (£55-65) for aged quality at a third of the price. See our Glenfiddich 12 review for the entry-level option. Best for: budget-conscious buyers.
Want ultra-premium prestige? Try Macallan 18 Sherry Oak (£300-350) or Highland Park 18 (£150-170). Our Highland Park 12 review covers the younger expression. Best for: status-conscious gifting.
Want Japanese precision? Try Yamazaki 12 (£110-130) or Hakushu 12 (£100-120) for delicate, precise profiles. Best for: Japanese whisky enthusiasts.
Who Should Buy The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old
Perfect For:
- Whisky enthusiasts seeking bottles under £200 for celebrations
- Gift buyers wanting impressive presentation with awards and heritage
- Sherried Speyside lovers who appreciate balance over intensity
- Drinkers stepping up from 12–15-year-old expressions
- Hosts wanting luxury bottles for entertaining guests
- Anyone celebrating a 21st birthday with age-matched whisky
Skip If:
- You're seeking maximum value under £100 for regular drinking
- You prefer peat-forward Islay malts or cask-strength expressions
- You drink whisky daily and need affordable options
- You're a sherry purist finding anything less than heavy Oloroso too light
- You need supermarket availability for convenience
- You're building collections purely for investment
The Bottom Line
The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old earns its price through genuine quality. The Trinity Cask Harmony—combining Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso, and refill bourbon finished in European Oak—delivers layers of sweet peaches, ginger spice, and burnt orange wrapped in creamy texture.
At 43% ABV and non-chill filtered, this preserves the richness that makes 21-year-old single malts special. The Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 validates technical quality that holds against established competitors.
My rating of 8.7/10 reflects excellent execution within its category. This is a reliable, high-quality expression delivering rich, sherried Speyside suitable for occasions when you want something special.
Final Recommendation: Buy this for celebrations or impressive gifts. Serve it neat in a Glencairn glass, let it breathe, and savour slowly.
The Singleton of Dufftown 21 review FAQ's
Is The Singleton of Dufftown 21-Year-Old good for beginners?
The smooth, sherried profile is beginner-friendly in flavour—no aggressive peat or cask-strength burn. The £180 price makes it expensive for someone still learning their palate. Start with the 12-Year-Old (£40-45) first.
How do you pronounce Dufftown?
"Dufftown" is pronounced exactly as it looks: DUFF-town. The distillery sits in the town of Dufftown in Speyside, Scotland.
Is The Singleton 21 worth the price in 2025?
Yes, for special occasions. At £179.95-£182, this is competitively priced against other 21-year-old Speyside single malts. The Trinity Cask Harmony, 43% ABV, non-chill filtration, and competition awards justify the cost.
Is The Singleton of Dufftown 21 chill-filtered?
No. This expression is non-chill filtered, preserving natural oils and proteins. The 12, 15, and 18-Year-Old Singletons are typically chill-filtered, yet Diageo preserved the oils in the 21-Year-Old. This contributes to the creamy, viscous mouthfeel.
How does The Singleton 21 compare to the 18-Year-Old?
The 21-Year-Old offers noticeable improvements. Trinity Cask Harmony adds complexity. It's non-chill filtered at 43% ABV (vs chill-filtered at 40%). The flavour is richer and creamier with more pronounced sherry. The 18 is excellent for weekly drinking at £85.
Is The Singleton of Dufftown a Speyside whisky?
Yes. Dufftown distillery sits in Speyside, Scotland's premier whisky region. The Singleton of Dufftown is classic Speyside single malt with grassy, fruity character enhanced by sherry cask maturation.
What does The Singleton 21 taste like?
Rich, sherried, creamy. The nose offers sweet peaches, ginger spice, honeyed toast. The palate delivers boiled fruit sweets, treacle toffee, sophisticated burnt orange. The finish is long and dry with gentle wood spice.
Can I find The Singleton 21 in supermarkets?
No. Waitrose stocks the 12, 15, and 18-Year-Old expressions, capping around £85. The 21-Year-Old is classified as "Rare and Exceptional" by Diageo, meaning specialist retailers only.
Is The Singleton 21 a good investment?
No, not for financial returns. This is a core range bottle with consistent availability. Secondary market appreciation is unlikely. Buy for drinking or gifting, not flipping.
What's the alcohol percentage?
43% ABV. This is higher than the 40% minimum for Scotch. The extra 3% helps project aromas and preserve mouthfeel.
How long does The Singleton 21 last after opening?
12-18 months if stored properly. Keep upright (never on its side), away from direct sunlight, at stable room temperature (15-20°C). Consume within 12 months for peak condition.
Related Reading
- The Singleton 12-Year-Old: Complete Guide
- 16 Best Whisky Gifts 2025: UK Expert Picks
- Complete Guide to Whiskey Tasting Rubrics
- Guide to Scotch Whisky: Everything You Need
- Best Whiskies in the UK
- Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Special Reserve
- Ardbeg 10 Year Old Review
- Yamazaki 12 Year Review
- Hakushu 12 Year Old Review
- Highland Park 12 Review
- Best Whiskey for Beginners
- How to Taste Whiskey Like a Pro
Affiliate Disclosure: This guide includes affiliate links to UK whisky retailers. We earn a small commission on purchases via these links, at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are independent, based on testing and UK availability.
