1997 Dufftown 18 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Signatory” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($69.99)
Dufftown is more famous for being the home of Glenfiddich, rather than for the distillery that carries the town’s name, but there is indeed an eponymous facility making whisky there. Dufftown distillery is a Diageo-owned plant that produces “The Singleton” single malt whisky for European release. “The Singleton” we see here in the states is made at Glendullan, but the styles are similar. Dufftown makes a classic Highland style malt, albeit with a bit more grit. A comparison in styles would definitely include its neighbor Glenfiddich, but Dufftown’s mash has a longer fermentation time coupled with an incredibly-low distillation speed, resulting in the maximum copper contact inside the still. The result is a heavier whisky, loaded with a malty character, that becomes spicy and gritty once put into oak barrels. This single cask edition, aged in a refill hogshead, picks up the oak spices and the cask strength proof accentuates what is already a bold and forthcoming whisky. Imagine the vanilla, the biscuity flavors, and the richness of Glenfiddich, but then add a few brush strokes: polished wood, toasted barley, and baking spices. It finishes with accents of resin, sawdust, and dried fruits.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
This little known gem is brimming with oak spice and the salt of the earth. There is a distinct salty/mossy note that I find extremely intriguing and enjoyable. Bottled at 54.8% it’s a big boy, but with a little touch of water it’s imminently approachable and has a beautiful viscous finish.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
Good old over looked Dufftown, this is the first time we’ve bottled this fun little distillery as a single cask for exclusive offer. This one starts more on the oak than the old casks, that subtle saw dust, cocoa powder and pepper. With a little water the sweet oak comes through, but also some bitter roots, angelica and gentian. The powerful and slightly unusual nose is totally belied by the rich malty palate, which shows subtle cocoa bean, sweet oak and a long juicy finish. A real work horse malt here, but something that will likely be unique in the cabinet and ultimately is really fun to drink!
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
I’m all about bringing in new distilleries for our customers to try, mainly because David OG and I try so many interesting whiskies that never make it back across the Atlantic with us. Dufftown is a working man’s whisky from the Speyside town of the same name, normally an ingredient in the Johnnie Walker blends, but in this case bottled on its own. There’s a robust spiciness and intense oaky richness on the first sip that slowly dissipates into sweet barley and classic Highland Scotch flavor. This is the first time we’ve ever bought a cask of Dufftown and, because of the fact it’s not a household name, the price is a right.
Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
Tasted alongside the other new Signatory bottlings this Dufftown is distinctively “malty”…almost rye bread like savory qualities are complemented by baked orchard fruit, spicy oak nuances and a stiff cut of slightly briney tones on the finish. Interesting stuff from a distillery I’m not so familiar with and what a steal for an 18 year old single malt?!
1997 Linkwood 19 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Signatory” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)
Because of its role in Johnnie Walker Blue and it’s renowned reputation abroad, Linkwood always demands a high price wherever its sold. Fine and finessed in a way that few other Highland malts demonstrate, the Diageo-owned distillery can often taste like a finalized blend straight from the cask! That’s definitely the case with this graceful and easy-drinking 19 year old hogshead from the Signatory warehouse, even at the relatively high 56% ABV. The 25 year old Linkwood sells at K&L for $250 a bottle, so when we saw the chance to offer a similar whisky for less than half the price, we jumped all over it. Adding in a few drops of water is essential to unlocking the complexity in this particular selection. Tempering that alcohol just a bit allows you to take in the sweet cereal grains, the citrus and vanilla, and the long finish of malted barley with just hint of fresh pine. It’s truly an elegant malt, one that continues to unfold the more time attention you give it. Try it as alternative to Johnnie Blue if you’re looking to save a few bucks!
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
If you’ve ever had the experience of walking into the cellar at a winery, you’ve tasted part of this malt already. That perfect combination of wood, humidity, earth, alcohol, and perhaps candlelight all hit your senses right at the same time and create the picture of elegance. If you take the time to tune in to the individual components you’ll find bright stone fruit, baked apples, butterscotch, and hard candies. The delicate oak spice meshes perfectly with the sweet malt. It’s supple, and with a little water, dangerously easy to drink.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
There’s no doubt that stocks in Scotland are getting tight. At Signatory, which was once our secret weapon, it’s become more and more difficult to find special casks. It’s not that the whisky isn’t there per say, but simply that the whisky we want is so far out of the price point that we’re willing to pay. But we occasionally stumble a few casks that haven’t been subject to the incredible price increases of the rarities around them. This Linkwood would falls solidly in that category. This fabulous Linkwood exhibits the wonderful malty character of this lovely distillery beautifully. The nose is sweet vanilla, bold citrus, bright apple and creamy malt. The palate exhibits tons of delicate fruit and has a rich texture that goes on for ages. The finish brings the barrel spices and a warming sweetness. At this silly price it won’t likely last long.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
Linkwood is such a great whisky and it’s so dependable. I’ve never really had a bad version of it, be it from Gordon & MacPhail or elsewhere. What’s paramount, however, is that you give the whisky its due. Linkwood is incredibly delicate, nuanced, and precise. You almost need to sip it in the absence of any other sensory distractions. Doing that will allow you to hone in on the brilliance of the spirit itself. There’s citrus, cereal grains, shortbread, and ginger spice lying in wait for those who make the effort to coax all the beauty out of the glass. This is yet another fantastic example of the elegant Scotch whisky.
Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
Just so soft supple and creamy. Even at its cask strength 56% alc this is sipple straight up. Golden fruit, toasted grains, vanilla oak; this has almost a Sauterne like honeyed richness to it. Delicious and a great value.
1995 Glenburgie 21 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Signatory” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)
This is the second cask of Glenburgie we’ve grabbed from the Signatory warehouse and it’s another winner. The whisky is nothing flashy or wildly exotic, just smooth, rich, and delicious from front to back. Any time we can sell delicious 20+ year old cask strength single malt for under a hundred bucks, we’re probably going to take that deal. Glenburgie is known more for its role in Ballantine’s blended than it is as a stand-alone single malt, but these single casks should help change that perception. Once again we’ve got creamy malt flavor on the palate, a rich layer of oak from the two decades in wood, and a lovely finish of baked apples and other Highland fruit flavors. The 54.8% ABV lifts the finish into a flurry of baking spices and malty notes that continues to linger for minutes. This is tasty, classically-flavored Scotch whisky, pure and simple.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
The hits just keep on coming. Another wonderful deal in the Signatory line up for this year. 21 years of goodness showing beautiful stone fruit, caramelized cereals, and a touch of wet earth and mineral. There is a lovely richness here. With the addition of a little water, the sweet cereal notes really show through, it reminds me of tasting the wort while brewing your own pale ale. All for under $100? Thank you, Sir, may I have another?
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
Another stunning value from one of our favorite suppliers. 21 year old single malt for under $100 is a real rarity these days add that it’s a delicious single barrel bottled at cask strength and we’re down right rare air here. This is a true Speysider in every respect. Subtle herb, shrubby flowers and fruit notes open with some air into aromas muscovado and candied apple. A pleasing mineral earthiness, like a fresh stream in the forest, balances the wonderful pop of fruit on the palate. The finish turns up the spice with a bit of dryness on the long lingering finish.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
This 21 year old Glenburgie achieves exactly what its predecessor did (that 20 year old cask we bought last year): it provides high quality, no frills Scotch whisky goodness with maturity and punch for a hot price. There’s nothing out of the ordinary here, just rich vanilla, oak, malted grains, stone fruits, and a nice smooth finish. Chalk up another win for no-name single malt whisky and those who trust in it.
Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
Darker edged than the other Speyside bottlings in this recent flock of Signatory casks. Toasted oak, more brooding, savory, almost rancio tones although I’m told there is no sherry influence here. It’s a complex whisky; burnt caramel, char, baking spice and pie crust. A good warming “winter malt”.
1995 Imperial 20 Year Old K&L Exclusive “Signatory” Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($119.99)
This is the fourth (and final) cask of 1995 Imperial single malt whisky we’ve purchased from the Signatory warehouse, and we’ve definitely saved the best for last. The now-demolished facility will never make spirit again, so consider this cask one of the last goodbyes for a whisky we’ve come to love dearly over the years. Closed in the late 1990s and wiped completely off the face of the earth in 2013, each drop of Imperial consumed means there’s that much less left in the world. The first sip is a like butterscotch and biscuits with an earthy resin note and a light coating of vanilla. Fans of Clynelish will love the waxy, floral, and soft fruited nature of the malt. Fans of Bunnahabhain will recognize that ghostly texture and hint of honey on the finish. Fans of higher proof whiskies will appreciate the drinkable and natural 49% ABV. You don’t need to add water. It’s perfectly proofed right where it is. Enjoy it while it lasts because this will be the final hurrah for this beloved series of single casks, one upon which we’ve built a number of adoring customers.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
Gentle and fresh. Bright citrus tones and a delicate creaminess. There is a sweet herbal note as well, like a great Chinon from the Loire. Not overt green pepper, but a hint of something green, a little sweet, a little savory. The distillery may be lost forever, but the malt will not be long forgotten. This is the perfect holiday gift for the whisky drinker who has everything.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2016
This gorgeous cask of Imperial was bottled just 10 days before it’s 21st birthday. This casks shows off that wonderful old school quality that Imperial has, less on the fruit that previous casks have and more on the big mineral note. Almost austere on the nose before water, it could be a high end riesling from a far. With water, more fruit, yellow plums, sweet herbs, sea beans. BIG sweetness coming out on the palate after water, more plums and lemon rind. A monster of a malt, that loves both air and water and proves that you don’t need a big cask influence to get world class whisky. This is magic, totally in love.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
If you’re someone who’s interested in tasting whisky from one of Scotland’s many “lost” distilleries, don’t let your hunt for Port Ellen and Brora distract you from this remarkable Imperial. Once owned by Pernod Ricard, the distillery was demolished a while back to make room for a new distillery called Dalmunach: a new state-of-the-art facility with all the bells and whistles. While I’m sure the new whisky will be delicious, it’s pretty tough to beat this 20 year old Imperial, especially if you like Clynelish with that waxy, oily, lemony core that’s wrapped in sweet malt goodness. A fitting goodbye to a lost friend!
Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 11, 2016
Perhaps the most complex of the recent Signatory bottlings but requiring more “study” than the more quaffable, instantly lovable Linkwood. Here I get subtle iodine hints, salt, dry malt, baked bread then some floral, honeyed, richer notes come through as it warms in the glass. At 20 years of age the vessel is more evident here than the primary malty characters. The evolution of this whisky is beautiful and captivating. Enjoy.
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