Every so often, a bottle comes along that makes me kick myself for not buying a second one. The Signatory Vintage Speyside 15 Year Old is exactly that whisky. Bottled at 48.2%, non-chill filtered, with no added colour, this one checks all the boxes on paper.
But what truly sets it apart is what lies behind that carefully worded “Speyside” label. This, as far as I am concerned, is a Macallan in everything but name.
Distilled in 2009 and aged in first and second fill Oloroso butts, this dram carries the unmistakable signature of the famous distillery. I cannot say exactly how Signatory came to acquire these casks, whether they bought them once the spirit was already maturing in the Macallan warehouse or through some other arrangement.
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What I can tell you is that the fingerprint is right there. Pour this for anyone blind and they are going to call Macallan without hesitation.
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On the nose you get that classic chocolate orange note, ripe caramel apple, red fruit, raisins, and a touch of walnut. It is beautiful, and that generous ABV only lifts it further.
The palate is where this whisky truly earns its keep. It has opened up considerably since I first cracked it. I remember detecting something faintly dirty in the early days, a slightly off cherry character, but that has vanished completely. What remains is velvety, sweet, and rich, with real layers and a long, satisfying finish. There is not a hint of heat, nothing sharp. The viscosity you get from European oak used only once or twice is on full display here.
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READ THE STORYI once put this head-to-head with the Macallan 12 at 110 proof and thought the 110 might have the edge. Not anymore. This is drinking absolutely dynamite, dangerous even.
After my last sip, I had no choice but to give this a 90, and it is very rare that I hand out a mark that high. That score is also precisely why it pains me to say this bottle is now sold out. Those of you clever enough to grab a few were very smart indeed.
My advice is simple: do not let it happen again. When the next “M” edition surfaces, buy it up, because in my experience they have all been excellent so far.
So here is my question for you: how many of these hidden gem bottlings have you missed by hesitating, and which one still haunts you?
For a more detailed breakdown and to see the whisky for yourself, you can watch my full video on the subject.
