The famous Secret Speyside (M) bottlings from Signatory have earned a loyal following for offering remarkable character at truly outstanding prices. Now Signatory is expanding the series with small batch versions of these highly regarded stocks at equally competitive levels. The concept is straightforward: capture the essence of the distillery’s character while delivering higher specifications and greater value. In this release we are well below the cost of the official 12 year old, yet it is bottled at a higher strength for more intensity and depth. Unlike the EU edition, which combines first fill and refill Oloroso sherry casks, this version is drawn entirely from first fill Oloroso butts. The result is a whisky that is dark, rich, and unctuous, brimming with the old school sherried intensity that many modern Macallan releases seem to lack. It shows layers of dried fruit, roasted nuts, leather, and cocoa balanced by a subtle spice and a long, warming finish. This is an absolutely spectacular value and yet another reminder that Signatory remains one of the industry leaders in consistently delivering the very best whisky at the very best price.