The Singleton: Game of Thrones Edition
Leading up to the final season of the mega-hit HBO series Game of Thrones, spirits conglomerate Diageo released a set of 8 single mats paired with a House of Westeros and the Night Watch. A few of the scotches have age statements but most do not. The Singleton is a scotch not regularly seen in the US, which is why we snatched this up while in an airport duty free shop. Made from the Glendullan distillery, which was founded in 1897, it draws its water from the famed Fiddich river. The pairing with House Tully seems proper, as the emblematic fish is shared both both the House in the books and the Singleton in real life.
Benromach Château Cissac
Beyond having a core range comprising a few age statement scotches, Benromach has also long played the game of experimentation. This has been seen recently in their Wood Finish series, which sees their spirit aged in different types of casks. The Benromach Château Cissac is finished in casks from Château Cissac in the French wine region of Haut-Médoc near Bordeaux for just a touch over two years. The dominant grape grown in this region is Cabernet Sauvignon.
Armorik Classic
The distillery that makes Aromrik Breton Single Malt Whisky was founded by the Warenghem family in 1900. The distillery makes a variety of spirits, with the Breton Single Malt being introduced about 30 years ago. The distillery is one very much rooted in the region, hearkening back to the Celtic peoples and traditions that bound Brittany to Ireland and Scotland. This commitment to tradition, while also straddling the undeniable French influence, results in a unique expression that has slowly but inexorably gained praise from many world areas and whisky writers. There are four single malt offerings so far: a double maturation, a sherry finish, an Edition Originale, and this original, their Classic.