The Gourmand Collection by The Singleton - Where Dessert Menu Decadence Meets Single Malt Majesty
From literature to spirituality and even mathematics, there’s always been something special about the power of three. And The Gourmand Collection by The Singleton is the latest expression of this. A decadent and distinctive offering of three Single Malts from the Highlands distillery, the Gourmand Collection is an ode to experimentation, a celebration of exquisite flavours and an expert reminder on the versatility and evolution of whisky.
For a very limited time, The Singleton offers a sublime serving of three supreme sups inspired by the decadence of desserts. The sumptuous collaboration showcases the best of whiskey's heritage - the result of the longest secondary maturation in The Singleton's history, including a 12-year-old and a 29-year-old second maturation - inspired by the craftsmanship and creativity of pastry chefs.
The Gourmand Collection consists of three defined flavors: Notes of Fig & Chocolate Ganache, Notes of Caramelized Crème Brûlée and Notes of Black Cherry Gâteau.
However, no one chooses a dessert without going through the menu first, so let's see what all this means for you. What can you expect The Singleton Gourmand Collection to taste like, why should you check out this dessert menu and what inspired this confectionery collaboration?
We spoke with Dr. Craig Wilson, the Master of Malts for The Singleton who led the team responsible for developing the Gourmand Collection, and Nicolas Rouzaud, best known for Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught, who has created a number of world-class cakes inspired by the whiskies in The Singleton Gourmand Collection, to find out more.
What do the whiskies in The Singleton Gourmand Collection taste like?
Dr Craig Wilson explains that the three Gourmand whiskies are ‘something completely different… driven by flavour rather than purely maturation time’ and represent ‘the ultimate collection of the Singleton of Glen Ord whiskies.’
So we know it’s historic. We know it’s extremely limited. But we also know that you’ll want to know exactly what you’re getting when you treat yourself to the Gourmand Collection. What do the whiskies taste like?
Flavour Notes of Fig & Chocolate Ganache
At a glance:
Dark chocolate
Layers of cocoa, spice and berries
Notes of vanilla
When you pour a dram of this expression, expect the richness of melted dark chocolate. Expect layers of charming cocoa and notes of fresh spices and fresh, juicy berries to really bring out the depth of that chocolatey flavour.
The harmonious layers of flavouring come from the notable maturation and journey from cask to collection. During the 29 years of secondary maturation, the liquid developed notes of cloves and spice from new European Oak casks, rich vanilla and woodiness from American Oak, while a third cask - European Oak used in Spanish bodegas - adds the lighter, creamier touch.
Flavour Notes of Caramelised Crème Brûlée
At a glance:
Flavours of caramel and vanilla custard
With nutty and spicy notes
Smoothy, cream finish with touches of ripe fruit
Artfully evoking the sweet, rich and familiar charm of the classic dessert, this silky smooth whisky has notes of caramelised baked vanilla custard torched to perfection.
During the 29 year second maturation, new European Oak casks add the nutty, creamy richness with a twist of lime, while the woody, aromatic notes come courtesy of an American Oak cask, and the creamy, spicy and vanilla notes of a second American Oak cask.
Ending its journey in ex-Grand Cru Chardonnay casks, the creamy smoothness and notes of ripe fruits complete the symphony of sumptuous flavour.
Flavour Notes of Black Cherry Gâteau
At a glance:
Layers of black cherries
Notes of vanilla and chocolate
A smooth finish with hints of dark fruits and pepper
An inviting, indulgent dessert that’s always on the menu, this whisky commands you to savour the dark and ripe notes of a classic Black Cherry Gateau. Multi-layered and smooth, this single malt unfolds with intense characters of ripened, juicy black cherry goodness.
During the 29-Year secondary maturation, a distinctive combination of three cask types adds layers of surprising flavour. In this stage, the liquid matured across two different American Oak casks from Spanish bodegas, adding vanilla and chocolate notes, with a layer of woodiness and rich berries. A third cask - European Oak - created even more berry sweetness, cocoa and timber notes.
The whisky was then decanted into an ex-Amarone della Valpolicella cask, where the memory of this dry Italian red wine enhanced our liquid with the taste of dark fruit and black pepper.
What’s special about The Singleton Gourmand expressions?
As well as their carefully curated flavours, the Gourmand Collection invites both long-time collectors and the whisky curious to appreciate the craftsmanship and legacy that goes into making each drop.
The collection is noted for having the longest secondary maturation in The Singleton’s nearly 200 year history.
This is important because the secondary maturation is the rehousing of whisky within a second cask, or combination of casks, after a period of initial maturation. Across the industry, this usually lasts for a period of weeks or months, and occasionally a small number of years. In this instance, The 42-Year-Old was matured for 29 years, which is the longest secondary maturation in The Singleton’s history and extremely rare for the industry.
This allows the combination of casks to influence the character of whisky over an extended period of time to create a Single Malt with a smooth mouthfeel and many layers of flavour.
So is this something just for whisky collectors?
The Singleton Gourmand might be showcasing some wonderfully different processes for the Highlands distillery, but that doesn’t mean only life-long collectors can enjoy. We asked Dr Craig Wilson who this collection is for, and how they should go about enjoying it, and his words should inspire anyone on the fence.
Citing the collection as perfect for ‘anyone who has a love of rich, complex flavours and a sweet tooth’, he also suggests the trio would be a great pairing for anyone who is already familiar with the likes of The Singleton of Dufftown 30-year-old or Mortlach 30-year-old.
However, if you were keen on holding this rare, one-off collection as a keepsake, you’d have something of a statement maker and a conversation starter. Not only is the liquid something special, but the outside is just as remarkable.
The bottles have been elegantly designed to emulate the desserts each whisky presents, with the necks wrapped in a coloured matte foil that hints at the flavours inside, and a sculptural feature on the stopper. The bottles are presented on a plinth of sintered stone and copper foiling, ready for prime position on your whisky shelf or cabinet.
How to properly enjoy the Gourmand Collection, from the expert who made it
To fully appreciate the flavours of the Gourmand Collection, Dr Craig Wilson recommends people ‘take their time with a new whisky in order to fully understand the blend of flavours within. Spend some time savouring the aromas first to understand the initial top notes and the balance between the distillery character from the spirit and what the time in oak casks has added to the flavour.’
‘From there, take a tiny sip, appreciate the initial sweetness and richness, then hold the whisky in your mouth for a few seconds and appreciate the mouthfeel and any spiciness which might be present, then gently swallow and enjoy the lingering flavours in the finish.’
When is the Gourmand Collection available?
A limited edition drop, there will only be 136 bottles of the Gourmand Collection available.
Available from April 2025, these will be sold as a trio, with each expression a 50cl bottle.
The Singleton Gourmand Collection cakes by Nicolas Rouzaud
To really celebrate this one-of-a-kind expression from The Singleton, Chef Patissier Nicolas Rouzaud created a trio of cakes inspired by the whiskies flavours - great on their own, even better served alongside its accompanying dram.
Speaking with Nicolas, he explained how the whisky was a natural inspiration for these divine dessert creations.
‘The richness and complexity of whisky offer endless possibilities for pairing with cakes. With The Singleton, each expression provided a distinct direction, making the collaboration both challenging and exciting.
I wanted the cakes to reflect the whisky’s elegance and cohesion. The design mirrors the bottles - three distinct yet connected pieces. The piping colors match the bottle designs, creating a unified collection. The finishing touch, a sauce pour reminiscent of the whisky’s flow, ties the experience together, offering guests a moment of indulgence and connection to The Singleton.’
Savour a moment
When one’s whole life is surrounded by luxury, does it ever get old? One thing we wanted to know from Nicolas - as well as everything about his incomparable cakes - is really the thing that remains true to The Singleton - savouring the single moment.
How can we all, be it enjoying a dram or tucking into a dessert, make the most out of these special moments set aside just for us? His advice is something we should all remember: ‘one of life’s greatest luxuries is time - it’s about savouring the moment and creating experiences that linger.’
Make time for yourself and The Singleton Gourmand Collection this year.
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