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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With a family involved in hospitality I am lucky enough to enjoy what the industry looks to advertise ....but my, my, is this exquisite! My only consolation of having finished the whisky is that the empty bottle is a masterpiece in itself. I wish it wasn't worth the money but sadly I have to bow to the fact that it is, which means the next bottle will have to be on me!
I have to preface this by saying my introduction to single malts was a Mac18. Since then I've tried Highlanders, Speysides, and Islays of various ages, but I keep coming back to Speysides, especially sherried varieties. I am always on the lookout for the complexity of a Macallan 18 with something different (and if possible a more reasonable price). To be completely honest, this is not as complex, but what it is, is absolutely delightful. Smooth, warm, and easy, but not in a thin/cheap fashion. perhaps familiar and comforting are more appropriate than easy. The chocolatey notes are different but not startling. I happened upon this on a Disney cruise of all places. I got a tip that one of the bars on the boat made their Rob Roy's with Signet, so by asking for it extra dry, you end up with a dram for $10! I easily had a bottle and a half over a few nights. It's hard to describe how it is different than similar priced varieties from the region, but it's just inviting, full bodied, warm, and satisfying. It is not as complex or intricate as other Speysides (even some costing half as much), but it has a body and nose that make me want to add a bottle to my shelf. The finish is nice and medium-long with a bit of body that lingers in a good way. In a cruel twist of irony, it was at Costco for $98 iirc a few days before I went on the cruise. My first day home I went back only to find they had rotated stock :( At a street price of $150 in Southern Ca right now, I may have to hold off on procuring a bottle for a special occasion.
Simply disappointing. Despite rave reviews I found it very poor value for the money and not at all what I was hoping for.
I'm on my 4th bottle, or is it 5th? This stuff is best left in Scotland, dont touch it!
For me, Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18 is much better.
