
October 9, 2018

Rare new whiskies by Signatory

Good, I had closed WF’s North Port (Brechin) box for good a few months ago, after having done a nice wee session gathering the remaining expressions I was still having in that box. And I had done just the same with Ladyburn a few years back. But obviously, we did not count on Signatory Vintage and their 30th Anniversary! Because guess what they have just released? That’s right, one North Port and one Ladyburn. In the name of Zeus, let’s try them both!

North Port Brechin 36 yo 1981/2018 (57.2%, Signatory Vintage, 30th Anniversary, refill sherry butt, cask #1708, 537 bottles)

North Port Brechin 36 yo 1981/2018 (57.2%, Signatory Vintage, 30th Anniversary, refill sherry butt, cask #1708, 537 bottles)
What what what what what? Colour: straw. Nose: this was matured by time, not by wood (respectively wine, rum, sherry…) So the age is purely theoretical, because this butt was probably rather lazy, which is actually good news since complexity only comes with proper age. Are you following me? This is actually very subtle, with many herbal teas and flowers, lime blossom, honeysuckle, woodruff, orange blossom, also lighter honeys, acacia, all-flower honey, lavender (no, lavender honey isn’t strong at all)… And would you believe this, there’s some marshmallows in a long-forgotten 36 yo single malt whisky! With water: menthol up, as often with very old whiskies. Mouth (neat): I think it needed these 35+ years in lazy wood, and I’m sure it wasn’t ready yet at the ripe age of 30. That’s the magic of malt whisky. Amazing mix of flowers, nuts, and waxy fruits, while there are dozens of each. So a short summary: fresh almonds, nectarines, dates, chestnut pollen, propolis, macadamia nuts… and approx. 1,764,680 other tiny flavours. With water: sublime mead. Ambrosia, the drink of the gods. Finish: medium, fantastically beehive-y. Comments: mind you, it could be that this was the very last ‘new’ North Port we’ll ever taste. But we aren’t sad, should we be sad?... It’s a very brilliant bottle nonetheless, I utterly loved it for its intrinsic qualities. Very well done Signatory!
SGP:551 - 92 points.

Rare Ayrshire 44 yo 1974/2018 (53%, Signatory Vintage, 30th Anniversary, bourbon barrel, cask #2606, 122 bottles)

Of course it doesn’t say it’s Ladyburn, but believe me, it is. I won’t tell you the story of Ladyburn again, you’ll find it on the Web (you may favour Johannes’s Malt Madness, still the best source). And we’ll all remember that Michael Jackson had just hated earlier bottlings of Ladyburn, around 1989. Colour: gold. Nose: Vorsicht, attention, caution, this is the kind of nose that may lead you to an overoaked palate, but we shall see if that’s the case or not. Banana skins, beeswax, old Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives, milk chocolate, nougat, brioche, middle-eastern sour bread, Weetabix, pot-pourri. The banana skins are a tad worrisome… With water: not that many changes. A wonderful nose, but indeed, a growing fear… Tah-TAH-tah-TAH-tah-TAH-tah-TAH… (that’s supposed to be the music of the movie Jaws)… Mouth (neat): do you believe in miracles? Between us, this one should have gotten too oaky ages ago, but it’s just utterly magnificent. Amazing fruits, papayas, guavas, bananas, mangos, maracujas, pears… In fact, it’s extremely reminiscent of some ex-refill 1960s Bowmore. There’s just nothing to dislike here… With water: astounding light and fresh tropical fruitiness. Finish: medium, with a flabbergasting freshness and a totally entrancing fruitiness. Plus, above all, not a iota of over-oakiness, which really is a miracle. Mind you, this little Lowlander is 44. Comments: I know it’s their last cask of Ladyburn. Well, it’s their best. This, is collectable whisky. Forget about hastily-designed crystal decanters and two-penny silverware, THIS is true History!
SGP:741 - 93 points.

You wouldn’t imagine to which extent these kinds of whiskies do put me into a good mood…