A 15 Year Old Anonymous K&L Exclusive Cask from a Scotch Icon
2005 Unnamed Speyside 15 Year Old “Signatory K&L Exclusive” Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(750ml) ($129.99)
“It’s a full and complete whisky … This is one of those casks that makes the independent bottling market so much fun.” — Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

The outstanding Signatory independent bottlings that come from some of our Exclusive Casks often bring us the biggest names in Scotch at incredible prices. The trade-off is that sometimes the source of the whisky demands anonymity. In the case of this outrageously delicious, 15-year-old hogshead, it comes from arguably the most recognizable name in Scotch whisky, whose branded 15-year-old offerings typically go for well above and beyond the price of this incognito stunner. While this producer is the undisputed ambassador for sherry-aged whisky, in this particular cask the world-class character of the main ingredient takes center stage. As buyer Andrew Whiteley explains, “it’s truly the quality of the malt that makes it stand out and sit atop the single malt world as the most collectable thing around. In this hogshead-aged bottling you get to experience that malty goodness at cask strength, without a focus on the wood.” There simply aren’t many opportunities to acquire a whisky like this at such a price, so collectors should beat a quick path to secure one of the most impeccable deals they’re likely to see in a long time.

2005 Unnamed Speyside 15 Year Old “Signatory K&L Exclusive” Hogshead Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($129.99)

K&L Notes: When really famous, top-notch, blue-chip distilleries need cash, they often sell off stocks to the independent market. Sometimes this happens in a straightforward manner: casks are sold, independent bottlers bottle them, and they get to use the name of the distillery on the bottle per Scottish law. However, when the distillery name is also one of the world’s most collectible single-malt brands, they like to protect their brand and keep it off of the bottle. Sometimes this is done via teaspooning, leaving the liquid technically a blended malt. Sometimes it’s simply contractual, as is the case with this Unnamed Speyside bottling. Signatory has a long-standing reputation for curating excellent single casks, and this bottling is no exception. This is perhaps the best deal on the independent market currently. While we don’t have the ability to use the name of the famous distillery, the whisky remains a perfect specimen in refill hogshead. A truly sprit-forward bottling. This cask comes from a vatting of barrels distilled on the same day and then redistributed to filling casks for sale to the independent market. Aged 15 years. Distilled 7/11/2005. Bottled 5/24/2021. Vatting Cask No: DRU 17/A 106#54. 61.1%ABV.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 29, 2021

I’m not sure why we couldn’t put the name of the distillery in the description, but the industry seems to be tightening up there. In any case, we’ll allude directly to the source, as I’ve seen these casks which had their tags ripped off, but some letters remained and it’s NOT MacDUFF! In any case, this large and important distillery is one of the Highlands’ most well-regarded, but they rarely bottles cask-strength offerings. The owners have a practice to maximize efficiency, which is used at their other distillery at the very northern tip of Scotland that’s very unique. When they want to sell bulk product they gather an entire day’s production and vat it together. Then they fill hogsheads to the top so they can minimize the space needed to deliver the product, while retaining the dates and single cask character. Luckily Signatory is nice enough to keep the original barrel codes on their bottlings, so we’re able to compare various lots. This one is vatting cask No. DRU 17/A 106#54. In any case, we don’t care what the label says. We just care that the juice is delicious. So here is what I think of it: The color is old gold, which implies that the vatting was made up of not totally inactive barrels. At a hefty 61.1% it’s likely going to need some water. The nose has big roasted malt flavor, hints of hazelnut, licorice bark, engine oil, and plummy fruit behind that. On the palate, it’s surprisingly easygoing without water, but honestly needs more than a splash to really open up. Now we’ve got some leather, rye dough, cacao nibs, and cashew butter. With some air, the palate is much sweeter now, with an unctuous texture, sweet baked nuts, toffee, roasted espresso beans, barley tea, and a big, spicy backbone that grips the palate nicely. This guy is no slouch and can easily bowl one over. It’s one of those weird ones that becomes bigger and more powerful with water. It’s not like any Macallan on the market for sure, and really not at all Speyside-like in character — more Highland power than Speyside finesse.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 28, 2021

For all the focus on sherry oak at this distillery, it’s truly the quality of the malt that makes it stand out and sit atop the single malt world as the most collectable thing around. In this hogshead-aged bottling, you get to experience that malty goodness at cask strength, without a focus on the wood. It’s pure and golden in color and flavor; rich and mouth-filling with a natural spiciness that so often gets attributed to a heavy sherry oak profile. At first pour it’s fruity and fun on the nose with creamy vanilla, lots of apricot, and a bit of upfront alcohol (it’s 61.1% ABV). Give it plenty of time to open and you’ll be richly rewarded. The broad shoulders muscle in over time; roasted and fresh cut barley stand out. Baking spices slowly meander all over the palate in a slow-rolling oil slick that is natural to this famous Speysider. The sulfur that is sometimes found in younger bottlings has faded to the background and all but disappears with a touch of water. That water also brings out a bit more of the savory side of things, showing some green peppercorn and hay, which rounds out the natural sweetness and vanilla so well. It’s a full and complete whisky, even without brooding sherry layered into it. This is one of those casks that makes the independent bottling market so much fun.