The Singleton of Glen Ord 40-Year-Old Review: 'Black Pepper and Waxy Smoke'

Monday, 16 February 2026 at 09:15

Some whiskies are for unwinding after a long day at work or sipping with friends. Others you save for that one special moment. The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years Old belongs firmly in the latter camp. How this whisky aims to elevate your senses is what you’ll discover in this The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years Review.

As the grand finale to the Epicurean Odyssey Series, The Singleton presents a whisky of distinguished age. The third and final bottle in the series is 40 years old, as the name suggests. Its predecessors, 38- and 39-year-old expressions, paved the way for this closer, which pushes the boundaries of “secondary maturation in experimental casks.”

Plenty of years, plenty of casks, plenty of flavor

This whisky has rested in a remarkable array of casks. Maureen Robinson, The Singleton’s Master Blender, orchestrated an intricate process to bring the 40-year-old to life. First, the spirit spent 12 years in refill hogsheads and butts. Then came a second maturation across various casks to layer on as much flavor as possible.

Over the next 28 years, the whisky moved through multiple cask types. Portions matured in ex-bourbon casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, solera casks, and Royal Rum casks. To add a final flourish to the Epicurean Odyssey, the parcels were married and finished in a pair of ex-Zacapa XO casks.

The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years took quite a journey before being bottled at 45.9% ABV. The result is captured in the tasting notes below.

See, taste, smell

Country	Scotland
Distillery	Singleton of Dufftown
Whisky type	Single malt
Color	Deep amber with copper highlights
Nose	Gentle with a light prickle; fruity notes of dried apple, plums, and dark chocolate with hints of spice and oak
Palate	Waxy on the tongue; sweet and vibrant with fruit notes, lightly saline with a touch of plum-like acidity
Finish	Long and dry with black pepper, spices, and a hint of waxy smoke
Age	40 years
ABV	45.9 percent ABV
Bottle size	70 centiliters
Price	Around 4000 euros

Smooth, intense, rich, and surprising

The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years Old is designed to close out a series of rare and venerable whiskies with a bang. Crafted to tease the senses, it absolutely delivers. The moment it hits your glass, you know you’re in for something special. The deep amber-brown colour beckons as you swirl, releasing its aromas.

First comes a subtle peppery tingle, quickly followed by layers of fruit: apricot, plum, and pineapple. Threads of caramel and toffee weave in and out, while the whisky clings to the sides of the glass, promising a luxuriously creamy texture.

That creamy, almost buttery quality appears immediately on the palate. The 40-year-old glides in supremely smooth, though the pepper gives a brief, lively kick. Let it rest on your tongue and a treasure trove unfolds: tropical fruits like banana and fresh pineapple, a dusting of cinnamon, and a whisper of rum playing alongside cocoa and chocolate in the background.

As the finish approaches, the creaminess deepens. The finish is notably long. While you slowly bid farewell to the sweetness, white pepper, wood, and tropical fruit linger with a wisp of smoke.

Bottle of The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years Old with tasting notes and review

Conclusion: The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years Old Review

The Singleton of Glen Ord 40 Years Old is an effortlessly drinkable whisky. It opens with a prickle, then quickly blossoms into a gorgeous harmony of flavors. The peppery note at the start and in the finish does build as you work through your dram, but never becomes intrusive. Thanks to its complexity, this is truly a whisky for life’s special occasions. Unfortunately, the price tag tells the same story: you’ll need to dig deep for this one.

+ An irresistibly seductive aroma

+ A whisky with remarkable depth

+ A delightfully long finish

- It comes with a hefty price tag