Glenmorangie
Scotland
Single Malt
This superb Glenmorangie was created with a marriage of whiskies produced from two unique types of malted barley: a single estate Cadboll variety and malted chocolate barley, which is better known as a basis for craft beers.
The Signet was distilled twice through Glenmorangie's copper-pot stills, by a team of 16 distillers known as the 'Sixteen Men of Tain'. It was subsequently matured in bespoke American virgin oak casks before it was bottled at 46%, and received no chill-filtration.
While it carries no-age-statement, there is said to be an element of some of the distillery's oldest and rarest stocks, ranging from 35 to 40 years old, in this Highland single malt.
The Signet won Whisky of the Year in 2016, and this edition takes it name from the ornate square design that adorns most Glenmorangie bottles. The signet itself originated from the Hilton of Cadboll Stone, a Pictish artefact that dates back to around the year 800 AD.
The nose begins with chocolate raisins and sugared mixed peels. Toasted spices, bread and butter pudding and golden syrup complement these aromas, while a note of Angostura bitters lingers beneath.
Sweet, syrupy cinnamon and drying malt lead, before a suggestion of Terry's Chocolate Orange rises. A hint of lime rind is present, as are lychees and dates. The backdrop is filled with tobacco leaves and freshly roasted espresso beans, with a little honey-roasted cashew.
The finish dries and becomes pleasantly rubbery, as a touch of truffle oil emerges.
Utterly superb.
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I have a sample that I want to drink. I would usually put 3 or4 cubes of ice with my whisky. I was recently told by a Scottish barman that ice hides the flavour and all whisky's should be drunk with an equal part of room temperature water. I don't like my whisky neat as I find it to fumey. What are your thoughts on this?
First thought when I tasted this was that it was the most unique Scotch that I've had. Our tasting group tasted Signet along with several other bottles in the price rang and among the highlands it was a hands down winner. It tasted like smors around the camp fire with chocolate, marshmallow, and cinnamon flavors, but none of the flavors were overpowering--very well balanced and a nice smooth finish. Even if highlands are not your preference this is worth a taste just for the uniqueness.
Reading the comments on this one, I think see where Glenmo were going on this whisky. Yep, I like it. I just don't think it's a whisky designed for avid malt maniacs, who certainly aren't gonna want to plunk down $200. For Glenmo regulars, this is a nice upgrade from, say, the 18. Thus, I would encourage Glenmo fans to give this a shot. To those who think this is the best whisky ever, I would suggest that they immediately begin sampling more whisky...in a responsible way, of course!
Does not really taste like chocolate, but has a lot of taste and is well rounded. Has some similarities with good cognacs. Goes well with chocolate and marzipan. Other whiskies I like are Talisker 18, The Macallan 18 (Sherry cask) and Glenrothes 1994.
In our house we have two opened bottles and of course there is a very good reason for this. We save it for very special occasions e.g. birthdays, Christmas and when my stepson returns from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. What can I add? Oh yes! Sublime and sumptuous, the very finest whiskey we have ever tasted; it is nonpareil.
