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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An absolutely genuinely unbelievable explosion of flavours.
The heart of this is tumble roasted barley intended to produce heavy dark chocolate and coffee notes, and indeed it does. With this much depth of flavor, I would believe it to be a blended whisky instead of a batch marriage malt. I really love all of the different 'morangies in this one and the "top secret" ones add a nice touch of mystery and intrigue. Signet has the most fascinating finish I have every experienced; a persistent pulsating creamy vanilla note that hangs on the front of the tongue for over 10 minutes. Truly truly enjoyable, a scotch like no other. I am surprised no one has attempted to imitate....
Superb
Caramel notes and while smooth, also has just enough of a bite to make balance out everything and keep flavor forward and finish just as strong as it glides down you tongue and warms your stomach.
As far as "Whisky" goes - this is an aberration. Using Chocolate Malt is all well and good, alas, the trade off is a two dimensional product (coffee and cacao) that will probably have a market ONLY for those who have an UBER sweet tooth. As for the "other"- I suggest 95%? - of the Whisky drinking public ...there is something else!
