I’ve always had a complicated relationship with Macallan 18. The whisky itself can be wonderful, but the price of an official bottle, now approaching £400, is another matter. That is why Signatory’s independently bottled 18-year-old Macallan caught my attention.
Distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2026, Edition 17 comes from sherry butts, sits at 57.1% ABV and cost me £86. Could it deliver what I love about Macallan without the painful internal debate at the checkout?
My affection for Macallan 18 goes back to a summer evening in Manchester, when I tried a 1995 vintage at a riverside pub. It was chocolatey, fudgy, orangey and rich with sherry fruit. I understood immediately why people loved it. I still think the standard bottling tastes good, even if I cannot justify its current price.
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Signatory gives me a far more accessible way to revisit that experience, with the added appeal of natural colour and no chill filtration.
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The nose tells me this is Macallan before I take a sip. Melted milk chocolate and orange oil lead the way, followed by plump raisins and toffee that edges towards honeycomb. There is also the faintest touch of sulphur behind the sweetness. I know that note will not suit everyone, but I enjoy the contrast it brings.
Together, those aromas make the whisky feel festive, warming and immediately inviting, rather than simply sweet.
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READ THE STORYOn the palate, its strength makes itself known through spice, oak and a striking cigar-box character. This is not peated whisky, but the combination of wood, earthy tobacco notes and sherry richness suggests sweet cigar smoke to me. As the initial heat settles, I find juicy raisins, fudge, caramel and nutmeg, with orange oil and a little bitter citrus lifting the heavier flavours.
The finish keeps rolling. A small splash of water brings out pepper and dark chocolate, while making the oak noticeably drier. I prefer the balance at full strength, though both versions have plenty to say.
This is a classic, full-bodied Macallan at a price I can happily recommend. It earns a nine from me, and I would choose it over a regular Macallan 18. If you enjoy mature sherried whisky, would you reach for an independent bottling instead of the famous official bottle?
For a more detailed tasting and a closer look at Edition 17, you can watch my full video on the subject.
