Signatory Vintage Old School 50 Year Old Coastal Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"What a whisky! Oh My God!... Thank you Gods of Whisky" - whiskybase.com

This is batch no. 3 of Signatory's Old School series, and unlike batch no.1, it's based on just one single malt, rumoured to be Bunnahabhain - probably the only coastal distillery with enough casks left from the early to mid '70s to make it possible. For the fortunate taster, rich oloroso sherry, briny sea salt, dark chocolate and dried dark fruits balanced by gentle, old-school oak and faint sweet peat smoke await. We've mentioned elsewhere that whiskies of this age can be under-appreciated by novices or impatient drinkers. To enter this kind of rarified territory and not be underwhelmed demands patience, time and quiet contemplation. This particular example was aged for at least fifty years (astonishing for any wood matured spirit). After pouring, it will be reticent with a noticeable difference in depth and character becoming apparent after 20-30 minutes and beyond. In short, an evolving dram to revel in for hours on end. That said, age is not a selling point in and of itself. This whisky has stood its ground against some hard markers, making the value for money all the more incredible, especially in the contexts of super-premium single malt Scotch. Matured in an oloroso sherry butt, 672 bottles were filled at 43.1% Alc./Vol. We have a fraction of the outturn on offer at direct import pricing.

Other reviews... Nose: pretty great. There’s a fresh breeze of eucalyptus and pine forest, on top of the polished furniture notes, leather and mild pecans. Underneath there is some roundness of marzipan and vanilla, along with salted caramel. Then a nice layer of dried apricots and candied oranges. Also raisins, subtle hints of red berries and indeed a coastal note. Complex. Mouth: the wood left its mark, sure, but it comes with mint, candied ginger, subtle resins and plenty of dried herbs. Not too drying actually, it balanced by some vanilla and some dried fruits again. Then leather appears, along with a tiny hoppy / marihuana note that is quite common in very old Bunnahabhain, some moss and dark chocolate. Subtle brine and a hint of cognac-like rancio. Too bad the texture is quite thin down the line. Finish: medium length, still resinous, with a lot of tobacco leaves, a wee rye note and light salty notes. A little high on resinous wood in the mouth, but the nose is really beautiful. Overall these are minor concessions to make for such an old Bunnahabhain at such a price. I hesitated between 89 and 90 points. It’s really good. - whiskynotes.be

...Thank you Gods of Whisky and Gods of the Taste Buds. This is some good stuff! A complex and well-layered dram, withhhh balancing fresh eucalyptus and pine influences, over wood polish / varnish, leather, rum soakes raisins and honey roasted nuts. Cocos - yes. Nettle - yes. Marzipan - yes. Woody depth alongside herbs, mint, dark chocolate and a subtle briny, slightly rancio character. It finishes beautifully with resin, tobacco, gentle spice and a touch of salt. What a whisky! Oh My God! - whiskybase.com