2011 Signatory Vintage Speyside (M) 13 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #29 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Finally a high quality, high-octane Macallan for whisky drinkers not collectors, at a price that's way off market standards.

Destined to be one of the single malt buys of the year, this will be nothing short of a revelation for those used to the current 40% bottlings: A contemporary Macallan from first-fill oloroso casks, bottled with minimal dilution and zero chill filtration. No dry, nutty oloroso on the nose, no hints of sulphur; more like dense, moist fruit cake, and loads of it with a little caramello chocolate in tow. Equally expansive on the palate. In fact, huge compared to the official 12 year old - also incredibly moreish - Monte Carlo biscuits, dried fruits, cocoa, balancing spices then dried apricots, candied orange zest and pepper heat at the finish. With water, amplified all-round, fluffy and very, very good indeed. In an age of over-packaged, NAS, celebrity-affiliated Macallans with unjustifiable price tags, you'd expect to be paying over $250 for the privilege here. This should fly off the shelves. Thank you Signatory Vintage! Not stated as cask strength, but 57.1% is near enough. Non chill filtered.

"...impeccable. Deranged minds might consider keeping, once empty, any pricey official crystal decanter just to refill it with this kind of very lovely juice." - whiskyfun.com

Other reviews... Truly a lovely move with this series... What, have we said that already? Colour: amber. Nose: back in the day, as the saying goes. Very charming combination, slightly floral at first (dandelions), then moving to accords of jams (mirabelle, quince, apricot) with roasted hazelnuts and almonds, all followed by a coffee and chocolate duet. With water: very lightly smoky, slightly burnt cake, toffee, and a few touches of fern. Mouth (neat): prune and Armagnac to start, then back to the same jams and dried fruits, laced with some lovely pepper. The whole leans slightly sweet, as if there were a touch of moscatel – though there isn’t. With water: not much change, save for some orange marmalade joining in. Finish: long, with clove and cinnamon making an appearance. Comments: impeccable. Deranged minds might consider keeping, once empty, any pricey official crystal decanter just to refill it with this kind of very lovely juice. Philistines! Pithecanthropuses! Squawking popinjays! Vegetarians! (all copyright captain Haddock). 87 points - whiskyfun.com