Highland distillery The Singleton has unveiled the final release in its Epicurean Odyssey series, The Singleton 40-Year-Old. The third Single Malt Scotch in the collection is a highly limited release that “inspired the exploration of ‘Sensorial Maximalism‘ as a new theory in neuroaesthetics on how to achieve superlative taste experiences,” says the brand.
“The Singleton 40-Year-Old is the finale in the Epicurean Odyssey series from The Singleton, one which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed crafting and have drawn on my own personal journey of flavour from my career as a whisky maker,” says Master of Malt Maureen Robinson. “At the end of this very extensive secondary maturation we sought out specially selected Ron Zacapa XO casks for a final indulgent finish to the whisky, which deliver an intensely rich, fruity, and smooth finish to bring deep notes of dark chocolate. The result: a whisky that epitomises my desire to seek out new flavour through craft, and a whisky at its most maximal.”
For this release, The Singleton worked with three global multidisciplinary artists, curated by AlterProjects and in association with Yoko Choy, to create unique works which investigated the elements of mastery by Maureen Robinson and whisky-makers at The Singleton. The talented artists, Zhou Yilun, Found Studio, and Moodsonic brought maturation time, craft, and the richness of the spirit to life through the interpretation of ‘Flow’, ‘Collision’, and ‘Richness’.
Neuroscientist Katherine Templar Lewis also influenced the development of these artworks. Inspired by the richness of this rare single malt and its journey of flavor, she explored ‘Sensorial Maximalism’ as a new neuroscientific theory, where our sensorial consciousness can be heightened through the curation of our external environment. This then prepares us for the most superlative tasting experience possible.
The works of the three artists were informed not only by Katherine Templar Lewis’s research, and intended to contribute to this heightened sensory state, but were also inspired by the story of The Singleton 40-Year-Old. Malt Master Maureen Robinson set out to push secondary maturation in experimental casks to the extreme, and then layer on further deliberate enhancements to create the brand’s most indulgent whiskies yet.
These artworks formed the basis of an immersive gallery experience in Shanghai, named The Rooms of Maximalism, where guests journeyed through rooms delivering precise stimulation for the five senses and beyond, to reach this heightened state of Sensorial Maximalism, before the very first tastings globally of The Singleton 40-Year-Old.
The experience included the unveiling of a large-scale physical piece created by Zhou Yilun, exploring the collision between liquid and casks. There were also areas of sensory deprivation, sonically induced ASMR through a soundscape designed by Moodsonic and moving digital art by Found Studio, deploying movement at varying speeds, specially designed to bring guests into a flow state, alongside a range of touchable textures all building on the guests’ sensorial experience.
“Through a single, grandiose sculptural installation, I sought to capture the collision of liquid and wood present in The Singleton 40-year-old whisky,” said Zhou Yilun. “With my material, I aimed to mimic the texture and sensation of whisky flowing through the cask and onto the tongue. By layering paint and using brushstrokes of various hues, I sought to depict the interlacing and textural complexity of the whisky’s multiple layers of flavour. It is my hope that the sculpture embodies the sensorial experience of the liquid for the viewer.”
Moodsonic composer Tomas Nordmark commented: “The sound that we hear around us changes how we taste, touch, feel and smell, so it’s the perfect way to create rich, immersive, maximalist experiences. We set out to create a unique composition that simultaneously celebrates and enhances the tasting experience of this exceptional whisky. Using the neuroscientific theories laid out by Katherine Templar Lewis, we designed sound that will intensify flavours like velvety chocolate for those tasting.”
Katherine Templar Lewis said: “Neuroaesthetics tells us how outside influences can heighten our senses and prime them to create the ultimate tasting experience. Through deploying various tactics which affect the five senses and beyond, individuals can achieve this state of Sensorial Maximalism before they enjoy The Singleton 40-Year-Old. In addition to my research and collaboration with some incredible artists through The Singleton 40-Year-Old, I’ve also created a guide on how individuals can strive for this experience at home.”
Katherine Templar Lewis has offered a variety of steps for individuals to add to their pre-tasting preparation should they be about to enjoy a dram of The Singleton 40-Year-Old or any other of the brand’s range of whiskies at home.
Bottled at 45.9%, just 1,716 bottles 700ml bottles of The Singleton 40-Year-Old will be available globally and will be priced at $3,755. For more information, head over Diageo’s Rare and Exceptional website.
Previous editions in the Epicurean Odyssey series include the 38-Year-Old and the 39-Year-Old.