2009 Signatory Vintage Speyside (M) 15 Year Old Small Batch Edition #18 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"...age is evident through the robust sherry wood, and the fruit aromas are present... lovely whisky." - whiskybase.com

If you missed out on Signatory's previous Macallan 15YO, you'll have to be quick to secure this. We have about half the number on offer. There have been at least three editions of Speyside (M), Andrew Symington's small batch 'Mystery' Macallan at high strength, all exceptional values by any measure. Drawn from first-fill and refill Oloroso sherry butts, this one's reported to be less spicy and more fruity than Edition #19. There are marginal differences of opinion, but all agree regarding the freak value. As an official bottling, something like this would cost more than twice Signatory's asking price. 48.2% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

Other reviews... A marginally earlier edition, but one showing similar characteristics. Colour: golden amber. Nose: this feels a little rounder, with sunflower oil, but otherwise it’s quite similar. Milk chocolate rather than dark, shall we say. Mouth: there’s slightly less spice here, indeed, and we’re closer to chocolate with citrus. A touch of pink grapefruit, which is fun. And pink pepper while we’re at it. Finish: fairly long, once again close to #19, but without the barrage of spice. Comments: truth be told, we’re extremely close, but as they say, one could drink a double magnum of each, head-to-head, and still not be entirely sure they’re really different. Are they? Let’s say we slightly prefer this one, but that’s even more arbitrary than usual. 85 points - whiskyfun.com

...Signatory makes Macallan what it should be: a good sherry whisky with a few rough edges from the wood after 15 years. It may not have the elegance Macallan is known for; the originals are too expensive and pretentious for me to buy or even taste. This whisky is reasonably priced, its age is evident through the robust sherry wood, and the fruit aromas are present. This is a lovely whisky. - whiskybase.com