‘ “The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky” is a challenging whisky.’ comments Diageo’s Brand Ambassador Afra. It has the vivid caramel notes as the 12 Year Old, but with stronger floral and fruity aroma from long distillation, such as summer melon. It has a layered texture, first with a sizzling sensation like apple cider, followed by dried figs and aftertaste with tannins. It is loved by female drinkers because of its unpredictable and delicate floral and fruity aroma.
Despite the fact that it’s only a kind of spirit with no gas, it surprisingly has a sizzling sensation. At the same time, its complex aftertaste makes it hard to pair with food.
Then, what food can pair with The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
Afra thinks dark chocolate and salmon with cream cheese can pair nicely with this whisky. The fat of salmon and the creamy flavour of ‘The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky’ can be a perfect couple; while ‘Blueberry with Duck Breast’ which was served in Diageo Malts Society last season, could bring out the notes of tropical fruits and sherry’s dried fruit flavour. In 2012, ‘The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky’ had a crossover with a Japanese restaurant Kougyoku to pair with ‘Japanese Beef Tongue Stew’. The sweet Japanese sauce emphasised the rich fruity flavours in whisky; the soft beef tongue aroused the woody aroma of casks, enriching the layers of whisky.
Afra also says the Hong Kong ‘Crispy Roasted Pork Belly’ is truly a surprise. The crispy skin and grease can just balance with the tannins in whisky. The delicate floral and fruity notes of the 15 Year Old is also compatible with pork, not to mention the variation in texture while enjoying the crispy skin. Salty cuisines like ‘Prawns in Salted Egg Yolks’, ‘Sugarcane Smoked Chicken’ and ‘Deep-fried Pork Liver’ can also enrich the layers of the 15 Year Old.
‘The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky’ goes best with special cuisines with salty and umami taste, such as Taiwanese Japanese style mullet roe, Taiwanese homemade sausages and French Style Smoked Crab Pie. They can all emphasise the layered, elegant and complex characters of the 15 Year Old.
‘The floral and fruity aroma of the 15 Year Old is more delicate and elegant; it’s suggested to use bigger ice balls which melt slower. If you add small ice cubes, they will melt quickly and create a big difference between the first and last sip. In hotter regions, it will be cooler and fresher to drink whisky with ice.’ says Afra.
When you are pairing whisky with food, you should add ice too. Using ‘The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky’ with ice to pair with Taiwan style braised abalone, can underline the layered and light aroma of whisky. Food writer Yeh Yi-Lan also suggests pairing ‘The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky’ with cuisines with spices, such as ‘Kung Pao Chicken’, ‘Mala Beef Tripe’ and ‘Sichuan Boiled Fish’. Don’t forget to add ice before drinking.
Ready to pair ‘The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky’ with some savoury and aromatic cuisines? You will surely have the best whisky and food pairing experience.
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