Signatory Vintage Tullibardine 8 år 57,1 %
Tullibardine, for me, is a distillery that often feels incredibly dull in both quality and taste. However, when you find their whisky bottled by independent bottlers like Coopers Choice or, in this case, Signatory, it becomes much more intriguing.
This particular bottling has matured in Oloroso sherry casks and is bottled at 57.1%. It has a lovely aroma with all the right notes from a sherry cask. The alcohol content doesn’t overpower the nose, so you don’t get that sharp shock despite the 57.1% in the glass. Beneath the sherry, you can detect the classic Tullibardine character—rich in fruits with a slightly peppery scent typical of Highland bottlings. If you’ve smelled Tullibardine 500, their own sherry bottling, I would highly recommend this Signatory edition, as it simply has more depth and elegance in its aroma.
The taste is delicious and incredibly complex, with the high ABV making itself known right away. Personally, I don’t find this a drawback, as it quickly provides a warm and delightful flavor from the cask. For those not keen on high-proof whisky, I’d suggest adding a drop or two of water to soften it. I’m definitely a fan and think this new release is off to a great start.
Signatory Vintage Ardmore 13 år 57,1%
Ardmore is a bottler I’ve never really encountered before. Is that a failure in my whisky education? Probably. In my defense, the selection is so vast that it’s impossible to try everything.
So, it’s not bad at all that my first tasting of an Ardmore comes from Signatory.
A light peaty aroma gently hits my nostrils. Personally, I love peated whisky, and this is neither a campfire nor a wildfire kind of peat. It’s a rather delightful scent of a lightly peated whisky. If you’ve tried Bruichladdich before, this gives me a similar vibe—a light, creamy peat aroma. This Ardmore has been aged in 1st fill Oloroso sherry casks, so once again, we’re dealing with a sherry-matured whisky. Great fruity notes and absolutely no sense of the 57.1% ABV it’s bottled at.
The complexity of the first taste across the palate is undeniable. Still, I’m not as impressed as I was with the Tullibardine earlier. The peaty flavor, combined with the sherry and the high ABV, doesn’t blow me away. I do find it complex and nice, with good sweetness and a rich body, but my overall reaction is more of a “well, it’s fine.” If you’re an Ardmore fan, though, I’m sure you’ll find this to be a delightful dram.
Signatory Vintage Blair Athol 9 år 57,1%
Blair Athol is the final whisky on my table, and it must be said that it’s a popular one. As I write this in March 2024, this bottling is almost impossible to get hold of. A few Danish wine merchants on the web might still have one or two bottles left. With such high demand for this bottle, I expect an incredible tasting experience.
Like the previous bottlings, this one has also been aged in Oloroso sherry casks. The color is remarkably fine, showcasing that characteristic dark and rich hue found in quality sherry-aged whiskies. The nose is excellent, offering a delightful aroma of cherries and spices. It’s beautifully balanced and the kind of whisky you could just enjoy smelling for ages.
The taste is absolutely fantastic. A rich, creamy, and velvety flavor coats the palate, sliding down slowly and pleasantly. There’s no sharpness whatsoever, and if someone told me this was 57.1% ABV, I’d think they were lying—what an exceptionally smooth dram!
The complexity is undeniable, making this an utterly exquisite and delightful whisky to enjoy. If you’re lucky enough to come across a bottle, my advice is simple: buy it, for goodness’ sake, buy it!
Signatory Vintage Caol Ila 8 Years Old 57,1%
Caol Ila is a distillery that, for me, is highly recognizable in both taste and aroma. It’s not because what comes out of their stills is bad—quite the opposite—but because you can almost always bet that if there’s an independent bottler with an Islay whisky, it’s likely Caol Ila in the bottle. Yes, I know this is a bold statement, and you might catch me out with other bottlings, but still. It’s one of those Islay whiskies whose aroma you recognize 9 times out of 10. With this Signatory bottling, I’d say it’s unmistakable. It offers a wonderful peaty aroma, creamy and rich, without the campfire smell you might encounter in other Islay whiskies.
Caol Ila typically bottles their standard release after 12 years of maturation, so Signatory is competing against quite a benchmark if you focus solely on age. I have to say, though, this Signatory bottling is a delightful dram—something you just want to sip on all evening. A good, rounded flavor, balanced peat, and a creamy, spiced finish on top. Should you drink more Caol Ila? Probably, and chances are, you already have. For a reasonable price and a sensible ABV, this bottle is an incredibly enjoyable treat that I’d highly recommend if you’re after something deliciously peaty.
Signatory never disappoints
Whether I’m slightly biased or not, I’ll leave for others to decide. However, I truly believe that Signatory hits the mark with everything they produce. The new 100 Proof Series is a tribute to those of us who want great whisky at a price that’s accessible to all. There aren’t too many bottles in circulation, but that only adds to its charm.
