Caol Ila 2013/2023 Signatory Vintage 10 Year Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48.2%
The color has a deep amber glow, the Oloroso cask has influenced the whisky's appearance, but not overwhelmingly so. The nose reminds me of blood oranges, pomegranates, anise, bacon, and campfire smoke. The taste has a slightly bitter and sour edge, with a deep, penetrating peat note accompanied by some fruity nuances.
The finish is long, continuing in the same vein with notes of raspberries, coconut, tobacco, and leaves a dry mouthfeel. This is simple, good, and classic Caol Ila in a sherry cask. It doesn't bring much new to the table, but it is certainly reliable and will please any fan of smoky sherry whisky. The Oloroso cask takes away some of the harshness of the distillate and replaces it with fruity nuances.
Earlier, it was promised that this line-up includes diverse whiskies, but the rest actually come from the Speyside region. However, there is quite a difference between them, except for the last two, which originate from the same distillery—more on those later...
The next whisky is none other than a Craigellachie that has spent its maturation time in Oloroso casks.
Craigellachie 2012/2024 Signatory Vintage 11 Year Edition No. 5 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48.2%
The color, as expected, is again deep, dark, and golden. The nose is incredibly sweet, bringing notes of redcurrants, red grapes, strawberries, stewed fruit, vanilla, and milk chocolate. The taste has an incredibly rich, creamy, and heavy flavor of vanilla pudding with cherry sauce, browned butter, and sweet pastries. I often find Craigellachie whisky to be very creamy and rich, and this is no exception. Some say that the twisted "worm tubs," as found at Craigellachie, contribute to this unique flavor. Whether that’s true, I’ll leave up to the individual whisky enthusiast...
The finish is medium-long, mild, sweet, and quite pleasant. This Craigellachie is well-balanced and flavorful. I think the house style shines beautifully through without being overpowered by the heavy sherry. Imagine the classic original bottling, Craigellachie 13 years, but with increased strength and a lovely touch of Oloroso sherry.
The next whisky is from Auchroisk, a distillery I don’t recall trying before! We are still in the Speyside region, so I assume it’s a whisky with sweet tendencies.
Auchroisk 2010/2024 Signatory Vintage 13 Year 100 Proof Edition #12 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 57.1%
The color is slightly darker than the other bottlings. The nose is very restrained and gentle despite the high alcohol content. I sense some notes of cherries, licorice, and fresh mint. The taste is darker and deeper than the previous whiskies. The mint reappears, accompanied by dark chocolate (almost like an "After Eight"); in addition, cherries and blackberries are evident. The finish is long and complex, with notes of toasted oak, vanilla sugar, fresh herbs, and a mild bitterness.
This Speyside sherry bomb can easily stand up to its competitors! Although the style is very classic Speyside, this whisky still has its own style and approach.
The last two whiskies I’m tasting today are called "Secret Speyside (M)"... You might wonder what the "M" stands for. There are quite a few Speyside distilleries that start with "M," such as "Miltonduff," "Mannochmore," and "Macallan." It has, however, been revealed by various importers that these whiskies come from the Macallan distillery.
Speyside (M) 2011/2024 Signatory Vintage 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48.2%
The color appears almost like rose gold. A beautiful, inviting glow! The nose is what I typically associate with a classic Oloroso-based whisky. There are notes of hazelnuts, marzipan, apricots, dried figs, and dark chocolate. The taste offers marzipan, pure cocoa, anise, orange peel, and a very mild hint of smoke. The finish is long, with the dark chocolate flavor complemented by black coffee.
Secret Speyside Macallan 2010/2024 Signatory Vintage 13 Year 100 Proof Edition #16 Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 57.1%
This whisky has only a few deviations from its predecessor; it has been matured in a combination of bourbon and Oloroso casks and bottled at a significantly higher strength. The color is slightly lighter than its predecessor but still appears golden and inviting. The nose brings notes of raspberry compote, cinnamon, vanilla, and dark bread. The bourbon cask influence is clearly noticeable here!
The taste offers chocolate and sweet pastries, along with the same gentle hint of smoke that I tasted in the predecessor. The finish is long, with notes of tobacco, licorice root, marzipan, and vanilla.
It's hard not to compare two bottlings from Macallan. Naturally, they have certain similarities, as they come from the same distillery and have been partially matured under the same specifications. I found the first to be fuller and sweeter than the second. However, the second had a better finish and offered slightly different flavor directions. So, if I had to pick a winner, it simply wouldn’t be possible...
What they both have in common is that, in my opinion, they are a significantly better buy than similarly priced original bottlings from Macallan, as they are presented more purely and with a higher alcohol content. So, if you can do without the fancy "racecourse aesthetics" and the whole Macallan brand, you’ll have an excellent experience with these two bottlings from Signatory!
