Signatory Vintage

a brief overview

Around 50 different single malt expressions are typically offered at any given time by an independent bottler signatory who has a strict release policy. Whiskeys are bottled in a variety of ranges including the Single Grain Collection, the Cask Strength Collection and the Un-chill Filtered Collection. The signatories' bottling, bonding and office facilities are based in a building adjacent to Edradour Distillery, which the company also owns, near Pitlochry in Perthshire. By sourcing natural malts from the best Scottish distilleries, selecting the best individual batches and bottling only the best casks within those batches.

Signatory Vintage Company History

Andrew Symington, formerly General Manager of Edinburgh's prominent Prestonfield House Hotel, launched Signatory Vintage Scotch Whiskey in 1988. A 1968 Glenlivet aged in sherry casks was the first cask Symington bottled. Signatory was founded in Edinburgh's Newhaven area, where a bottling plant was built: but following the purchase of Pernod Ricard's Edradour distillery in 2002, the company moved all of its operations north to the scenic Perthshire region. In strict accordance with the existing local architectural style of the small, popular country distillery, a new bottling factory and warehouse complex were built.

Signatory Vintage Cask Strength Collection There is a wide range of natural strength whiskeys available in uniquely numbered bottles. Featuring rare malts presented in a luxury presentation box with a certificate of authenticity, this range includes whiskeys aged up to 35 years.

1. Macallan 1997

Spiritual Home, also known as Easter Elchies House, is a fine example of a Highland mansion. It was built in 1700 for Captain John Grant from locally quarried sandstone. To ensure they produce the finest single malt whiskey possible, they carefully select the highest quality spirits from their stills. Her signature thick mouthfeel, fruity scent, and flavor are created by this supreme cut. This little bit is one of the best in the business and extremely selective. The rich, full-bodied taste of The Macallan's New Make Spirit is primarily due to this. This transparent, colorless spirit was chosen with an alcohol content of just around 70%. This "New Make" spirit, which is extremely powerful and full of character, serves as the basis for all Macallan products. Nose: Vanilla and oranges, with underlying dried fruit and oak. Palate: Warm and peppery, with oranges, caramel and a hint of nutmeg. Palate: Smokiness, toasted nuts, strawberry jam, orange zest and cooked honey. Finish: Fairly long, on a pepper/sherry combination and just a slight dustiness

2. Longmorn 1992

The Picts of Moray were introduced to Christianity in the seventh century by a missionary named Maernanaog. After his death in 625 AD a church called Lann Marnoch or St Marnoch's Church was built nearby. Longmorn eventually replaced the previous name 'Lann Marnoch' which had been anglicised over time. John Duff and Company, who founded Glenlossie in 1876, began work on a distillery on the site in 1893. Tasting notes Color: caramel. Nose: Fresh and fruity, with notes of red grapes, kumquat, juicy barley and hints of waxy oak. Palate: Slowly but surely, cooking spices begin to dominate the flavor profile – think ginger and black pepper. A hint of fresh peach remains. Finish: A blend of cut grass, caramelized pear and ginger.

3. Ledig 2005

Ledaig Scotch is made at Tobermory distillery, which is said to be one of the oldest in Scotland. Founded in 1798, it is Mull's only distillery. It is exceptional not only for its scenic setting, but also for the two distinctive but equally attractive single malts it produces: the fruity, unpeated Tobermory and the more robust and smoky Ledaig. Tasting Notes Colour: Golden amber. Nose: Peanut brittle and fruit and nut milk. TCP, spicy gingerbread and rye. Palate: Mocha, Madeira, smoky peat and raisins. Plum pudding and orange oil. Finish: Toasted bread, strawberry jam.

whiskeys

4. Glenrothes 1997

The Glenrothes Distillery has been making malt bourbon since 1879. To ensure quality distillation and careful planning, the distillery's signature bottling process emphasizes the vintage of the malt rather than its age. Glenrothes malts are of the highest quality and taste as they are made from carefully selected casks, barley and spring water. Tasting Notes Colour: Natural colour. Nose: Burnt sugar and nutty malt, plus a portion of juicy apricot. Palate: Churros and chocolate, fresh citrus and oily malt. Finish: A lingering sweetness of fresh mango and green apple.

5. Bunnahabhain 1989 The Bunnahabhain Distillery was founded on Islay in 1881 near Port Askaig. Bunnahabhain Village was created to accommodate its employees. Distell is the owner of the distillery. Bunnahabhain is a milder single malt Islay whiskey that is readily available. Its taste contrasts sharply with other alcoholic beverages made on the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. Tasting Notes Colour: Light caramel. Nose: Honeyed mussels, hints of candied ginger and polished wood. Palate: Fresh, somewhat spicy, green fruits and a subtle note of salt. Finish: Sweet and earthy walnut and malt.

6. Glenturret 1988

Glenturret is the oldest working distillery in Scotland, having been established in 1775. The distillery's former name was Hosh but was changed in 1875. After the passage of Prohibition in the 1920's, the distillery was closed and demolished, and it remained so until the late 1950's. Glenturret is now one of the most popular distilleries in the business and famous for its connection to the Edrington Group's Grouse mix. Tasting notes Colour: light gold. Nose: Decadent toffee popcorn, milk chocolate and apple appear first, followed by gentle hints of sandalwood. Palate: fragrant vanilla blended with caramel; golden syrupy drops, rich and sugary. Finish: Gentle ginger spices shake up the finish very well.

Signatory Vintage Edradour

For many years, Edradour was considered the smallest distillery in the country, but the boom in artisanal distillation led to several new smaller operations. However, the distillery is still among Scotland's most charming and attractive. Founded in 1825, the distillery has had a long, turbulent history, but stability seems to have been achieved under the steady ownership of Andrew Symington and his Signatory Vintage label. Originally based in Newhaven, Edinburgh, Andrew Symington bought Edradour Distillery on the borders of Pitlochry in 2002. The distillery's warehouses were the perfect place to age whiskey stocks, so all operations were moved to Perthshire. Tasting Notes Nose: The nose is a massive aged sherry blast, balsamic vinegar, syrup, golden nectar, fresh leather cherry, black currant with raspberry, apple, walnut. Polished oak furniture, plums, sultanas and raisins, subtle sulfur scents like burnt toast or flashy matches. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper are warm spices. Palate: Excellent palate structure. This dram has quite a bit of weight. It almost feels chewy. Again, note a strong sherry flavor. There is burned oak and a smell that reminded me of a slightly scorched honey glazed ham. Raisins and numerous other dried fruits are included. Tobacco, hints of cherry and raspberry. There is a hint of pepper to finish that is just a little smoky and dry. Sherry stays with you for days. Summary: A sherry bomb with sweet dried fruit rather than an oaky flavor profile. It has an almost tart flavor similar to some Olorosos sherries. Despite being 46% ABV, it still has a rich feel. While it can take some water, I found it better without. Adding a little splash made it look like losing someone. Overall, the descent is quite pleasant. Perhaps a little too sherry-centric and one-dimensional for some palates, but you can always opt for the regular 10-year-old if you prefer more distillery flavor. This sherry blast is strong and bold. Not keeping the balance, but demonstrating what a sherry cask can do.

Signatory Vintage Samurai

These Signatory whiskey bottlings feature beautifully illustrated labels and packaging depicting the fabled Japanese warriors, the samurai. These whiskeys have not been chill filtered or colored like all others from this independent bottler. They were cask-strengthened and powerfully bottled. As with the first four bottlings in December, the heart of these Samurai whiskeys beats to the rhythm of sherry: these single malts from Craigellachie, Glenauchers, Auchentoshan and Caol Ila have undergone three full maturations and a finish in a sherry cask. There should be something for every palate, from well-known to lesser-known distilleries, heavily peated to fine whiskey without any smoke at all. Plus, these bottles are beautiful in and of themselves, labeled "Exclusively bottled for Kirsch Import." The four new Signatory Vintage Samurai Single Cask Editions

1. Craigellachie

2. Glen Diver

3. Auchentoshan

4. Caol Ila

Signatory Vintage Vikings Signatory Vintage, one of Scotland's busiest independent bottlers, was founded in 1988 by Andrew Symington. Next to the Edradour distillery, which they have also owned since 2002, are their offices and a bottling plant. This is a group of limited edition products created for Kirsch, their German importer.