Singleton of Glen Ord 14 Year Old Autumn Walk
January 2025

Singleton of Glen Ord 14 Year Old Autumn Walk

Australia only got 300 bottles of this rare Pyrenean oak-finished Singleton, and they're all for Whisky Club Members.

United Kingdom

Colour Rich amber

Nose Melted butter, dried fig, orange toffee and freshly grated nutmeg

Palate Boston bun and allspice, with juicy raisin and milk chocolate

Finish Spiced coffee melds into dried apricot and lingering orange peel

Overview

With its deeply wooded and allspice characteristics from rare Pyrenean and classic Spanish oak finish, the tiny 300-bottle Australian allocation of this one-off expression comes from Singleton’s Glen Ord, jewel of the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands, and established in 1838.

A unique supernova of cask layering, this 14-year-old single malt is lifted by the distillery’s recurring orange toffee and apricot notes, and rounded out with melted butter and Boston bun from first-fill ex-Bourbon influence.

As Craig Wilson, Master Blender at Glen Ord, explains: “We wanted to move away from the classic house style of this distillery and go into a much drier, spicier type of flavour.”

Wrapped up at a natural cask strength of 54.7% ABV, with non-chill filtration and no added colour, it’s Singleton but finally at Whisky Club specs, and you get exclusive Aussie access.

Don’t miss your only chance to snap up a bottle of this limited edition offering from Glen Ord, a true gem of a distillery which flies under the Singleton banner. Exclusively available in Australia to Club Members.

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THE SPECS

Price: $230.00

Age: 14 Years Old

ABV: 54.7%

Maturation: Matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, part-finished in casks of Pyrenean and Spanish oak ends.

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Glen Ord Distillery's History

Situated in the heart of Scotland’s famous whisky-producing region, Glen Ord has been quietly crafting exceptional whiskies in Highlands for nearly 200 years. It’s one of the more under-the-radar distilleries, but those who know it know it’s a true gem.

The name itself begins in the mid-13th century, when the MacKenzies of Ord were granted lands in the west of Scotland by King Alexander III. A hop, skip and jump in time later, in 1838, the distillery at Muir of Ord was built by the local laird Thomas MacKenzie, who then leased it out to a succession of owners who ran it with varying degrees of success. The location of “The Black Isle” was ideal — nestled between the rugged hills and the River Conon, the distillery had access to all the ingredients needed for great whisky: pure water, fertile barley, and a whisky-loving community. The name ‘Glen Ord’ comes from the Gaelic word for ‘valley’, reflecting the picturesque valley the distillery calls home.

Soon after Mackenzie had licensed “Ord Distillery Company”, D. McLennan and Robert Johnstone became its new owners, with Johnstone taking over the distillery completely after just a few years of production. Suddenly, the distillery’s future hung by a thread as he quickly encountered financial issues, filed for bankruptcy in 1847 and Glen Ord was up for sale.

The place was silent for seven years until it was finally bought by Thomas McGregor and Alexander McLennan in 1855. The distillery's production successfully resumed, and upon McLennan's death in 1870, his widow took over as manager. With the remarriage of McLennan's widow to Alexander MacKenzie in 1877, fate stepped in and handed Glen Ord back to the MacKenzie clan. Tragically, a large portion of the distillery was destroyed in a fire shortly shortly after they were married.

But hope wasn’t lost yet for this little Black Isle gem. In 1896, the distillery was acquired by James Watson & Co for £15,800, who had big ideas for its future. Under this new leadership, Glen Ord began to grow and modernize, bringing in new equipment and techniques that set the stage for the distillery to thrive in the coming decades.

Now it’s worth mentioning that in the early days, Glen Ord only ever produced whisky for local consumption and blending purposes. In fact, it wasn’t until the phylloxera outbreak in the late 19th century, which destroyed grapevines through much of Europe, that whisky production was able to become a true industry in its own right. As the wine industry faltered, Glen Ord and many other distilleries stepped in to save the day.

In the mid-20th century, Glen Ord joined the ranks of some of Scotland’s larger whisky companies, first becoming part of the DCL (Distillers Company Limited) in 1930 and later merging with United Distillers. The distillery's original floor maltings were replaced with Saladin boxes in 1961, which in turn were removed when the large drum maltings was built in 1968. With the help of the merger, Glen Ord expand its reach, and the distillery began producing whisky for some of the world’s best-known blends, like Johnnie Walker. But Glen Ord wasn’t just about making whisky for blends — it was also quietly producing its own single malts that would eventually catch the attention of whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

Though Glen Ord had been primarily known for its blended whisky contributions, the distillery’s single malt began to shine through in the 1980s. It was during this period that Glen Ord started to release its own expressions of single malt Scotch, and the distillery’s rich, full-bodied style — with a signature sweet, malty character and hints of fruit and spice — began to develop its loyal following.

In 1997, Glen Ord became part of Diageo, one of the world’s biggest spirits companies. This brought the distillery further into the spotlight, as Diageo made sure to showcase Glen Ord’s distinct Highland character. Still, despite being part of a global corporation, Glen Ord has maintained its Highland roots, staying true to the quality and craftsmanship that’s made its own distinctive name amongst whisky lovers.

In 2006, the Singleton line was introduced, with Glen Ord coming first, followed a year later by Glendullan and Dufftown. Due to the brand's success, Glen Ord underwent a significant expansion in 2014, doubling its capacity to 10 million LPA (litres of alcohol annually).

These days, Glen Ord is still a major player in the Highland whisky world. It may not have the same fame as some of its bigger neighbors, but it’s definitely earned its spot among the whisky crowd who value its consistency, quality, and deep heritage. After all, Glen Ord is one of just three distilleries that can meet their own malt needs – the other two being Roseisle and Springbank. Today it produces malt for all of Diageo’s northern plants, Talisker and, on occasion, makes heavily peated malt for Islay. As more whisky lovers seek out distilleries with a bit of history and real craftsmanship behind them, Glen Ord has become something of a hidden gem that’s well worth seeking out.

The distillery’s still cranking out fantastic whiskies that showcase all the best things the Highlands have to offer. Whether you’re enjoying the classic 12-year-old or hunting for something a bit rarer like their limited edition 14-year-old Autumn Walk expression, Glen Ord knows how to bring the goods. It’s a distillery with a legacy that’s been built over the years and is still going strong in the world of Scotch whisky.

Singleton of Glen Ord 14 Year Old Autumn Walk Singleton of Glen Ord 14 Year Old Autumn Walk

Distillery Facts

Region: Highlands

Origin: The Glen Ord Distillery, A382, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire, IV6 7UJ, United Kingdom

Founded: 1838

Water Source: Loch nam Bonnach, Loch nan Eun form the White Burn

Washbacks: 22

Stills: 14 (7 wash, 7 spirit)

Capacity: 12,000,000 litres per annum

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Your free Club Membership gives access to exclusive single malt from Scotland, Australia and the world’s best distilleries. Enjoy the unrivalled buying power of Australia's biggest whisky club.

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