2009 Signatory Vintage Aultmore 16 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #14 Exceptional Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"A worthy member of Signatory's 100 Proof Edition /...big modern sherry, oak, chocolate, spices, dried fruits, for the sherry bomb afficionados". - whiskybase.com

Aultmore remains one of those sleeper distilleries that's still under the radar despite efforts by their owners to give the name a wider audience in the last few years. We know that it takes sherry particularly well, but it still needs to be good sherry. And it sounds like this one is (certainly good enough to have some fun with your pipette and water). If you prefer drinking something akin to straight Oloroso at 100 Proof, this should also do the job - think raisins, figs, caramel, candied peel, spiced malt and warming winey richness. No doubt it will remind many drinkers of middle-aged Glenfarclas or Macallan and could well turn out to be the most obvious slam dunk in this year's Signatory 100 Proof line up: Sixteen years old, high strength, sherried single malt, well under $200. We don't know how the boys keep digging up these casks but long may it continue. Exclusively from first-fill oloroso sherry butts. 57.1% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... The base is nutty, with a hint of sweetness and a subtle spiciness, followed by a bitterness. For a 57.1% alcohol content, the punch is rather weak. However, if you pour more, the chocolate sweetness becomes much more pronounced, which is nice. Finish: The bitterness fades, leaving behind a deep, sweet tobacco-like aroma. It's as rich as dried fruit. At the end, a fragrant sweetness lingers on the tongue, and the rich, creamy sweetness of chocolate rises on the throat. A slight alcoholic note is a slight downside. - whiskybase.com