A Sherry Lover’s Dream: A Rare Single Cask of Glenlivet 12 from Signatory – Scotch Whisky News
A Beautifully Sherried Single Malt—A Hard to Find Gem
2007 Glenlivet 12 Year Old “Signatory Unchillfiltered Collection” 1st Fill Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)
“An absolutely dreamy cask of ‘Livet” — David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer
This first fill sherry cask of Glenlivet 12 has it all—power, range, personality, and an unmistakable oloroso influence. We don’t see many single casks from Glenlivet, so when one this compelling comes along, we know to act. We’ve had one success after another with these exclusive barrels from Signatory, and this counts among our biggest triumphs. It’s extra special because of how deftly the sherry flavors pair with the exceptional quality of Glenlivet’s malt. As the tasting notes below reveal, it is a deeply exotic bottling, while remaining refined and elegant. This 12-year-old will have you coming back to your glass again and again, as there’s simply so much to savor. Glenlivets this rare and exceptionally well made routinely cost upwards of $300, but as we are bringing it in direct, we are able to offer it for a mere $100. This is a lot of whisky for the price and is handily among our top finds of 2019. Its sister cask sold out in a matter of hours, and we expect this one to move at an equal pace. Don’t miss out on this inspirational Scotch.
For those who’ve been paying attention for the last decade or so, you’ll know that we’ve had some pretty incredible success with Signatory. Likely the most requested and reminisced about product from them was a series of heavily sherried Glenlivets we bottled nearly four years ago. Those stupendous casks from this blue chip distillery were really quite rare, and have become legends. But the quality of those incredible offerings and their scarcity resulted in an absolute explosion in their price. What we once stocked for under $100, now were pushing $300. So, we waited. And waited. Finally, nearly four years after our last cask was bottled, we stumbled upon this set of wonderful Glenlivets in the Signatory warehouse. Distilled on April 10th of 2007, this malt was filled into the highest quality sherry casks. Despite the availability of the standard releases, single casks of Glenlivet are a rarity on the market today. Because the distillery needs almost every drop they produce, there’s no need for them to trade or divest stocks to their competitors, as so many other distillers in Scotland do. But what’s shocking is that they’d ever let go of these stupendous casks at all. We are extremely lucky to have access to this incredibly high-quality malt, and this little 12-year-old might turn out to be the cask of the whisky season. Yes, you pay a little premium for Signatory, but it’s damn worth it every time. Sherry lovers rejoice!
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 23, 2019
Sister cask to the 2006 Glenlivet that we sold out of almost instantly just a few weeks ago. I’d have to say this is the big sister despite being just a touch younger. Not big and brash like its sibling, but much more mature and refined (I’m basing this assumption on my relationship with my older sister). Intensely sherried, but just another example of how varied sherry casks can truly be. This is more butter cream and candy corn than chocolate and toffee. Fresh orange peel rather than burnt, zippy even. Rich malt forms the core of the whisky, but is wrapped in layer after layer of creamy nut butter, figs, and desert fruits. It’s basically a scent journey to the market in Marrakesh where baskets upon baskets of dried figs, dates, and oranges mingle with saffron, turmeric, teas and other exotic spices. If you liked the first barrel you owe it to yourself to get a bottle of this one, as it’s the perfect foil. Same same, but different. And different in all the right ways.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 21, 2019
Another absolutely spot on cask of Glenlivet aged for 12 perfect years in 1st fill sherry. Here we have a relatively different style than the last cask which had much more coffee, toffee and astringent oak. The nose on this pristine barrel is pure buttery oloroso, vanilla extract, nutty dried plums and apricots. Again on the palate it’s big but sweeter and rounder than the last cask. It still absolutely loves water. With water now we’re approaching the absolute limits of finesse. Aromas of exotic teas, candied sultanas, expensive spices, cigar box, roasted dark malt and a bold spice that perks up in the back end. While this one loves water like its sibling, here we only need a tiny splash and ten minutes with air to achieve full potential. An absolutely dreamy cask of ‘Livet that acts as a lovely counterpoint to the previous barrel.
Andrew Tobin | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 02, 2019
What an outstanding sherry cask Scotch! Rich and lush on the nose with notes of plum and dates, hazelnut chocolate, and a hint of caramel. The palate does not feel like 125.8 proof at all, definitely warm but very balanced. The fruit lingers, the malt is well integrated with the sweeter notes, and the finish is long and intense. This has to be one of the best single casks we have gotten in recently and I can’t imagine it will last very long!
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 01, 2019
I immediately checked the pricing on this bottle once I got it into my glass and began to explore. I was hit, unmistakably by buttered rum raisin ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup. After that, white sage and candied plum became apparent with the influence of the sherry butt. A single droplet hit my tongue and there was a sudden explosion of flavor and texture that emanated to every corner of my mouth. Golden raisins and dried cherries combined with salted toffee rode atop a soft, silky wave that seemed to break for miles. The finish saw notes of marzipan and raspberry Jolly Rancher and five minutes later, it was still changing; I can’t say enough good things about this bottling and at this price point, I’ll be picking up a bottle or two myself.
Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 29, 2019
Butter. Scotch. Butterscotch. The sherry influence is powerful here, but not in the same way as our last Glenlivet single cask. The nose drips with butterscotch, honey, dark caramel, saltiness, and dried fruits. Red fruit flavors come out more on the palate with a little tobacco and spice box, too. With a few drops of water, the sherry flavors come out even more, if you can believe it. This Scotch is a totes sherry bomb, made for lovers of that style.
Tim Telli | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 26, 2019
This whisky has an extremely dark color from the first-fill sherry cask aging. There are all kinds of complex flavors, and a nose of honey and dried citrus fruits. Lovely and intense with a long lingering caramel finish. Roasted coffee beans and toffee round it out. Tastes older than 12 years. Only 561 bottles filled.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 22, 2019
Sherry aged single malts are very popular at k&L and this bottling should please fans of this style of whiskey. The sherry influence is pronounced, helping make this a juicy and rich offering. The sherry aging comes through in the nose giving dried fruit and sherry aromas. In the mouth this Glenlivet is full bodied and lusty with the dried fruit and nut flavors dominating. There is a long finish. If you are thinking about buying this product I suggest that you do is sooner than later because in the past similar offerings have sold out quickly.
Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 20, 2019
I didn’t know it was possible, but this bottling is actually slightly better than the last. For starters, the nose is more complex with persimmon skin, sultana, mandarin zest and beatiful roasted barley. Rather than just fudge and coffee, the palate also shows signs of creme brulee, toasted wheat, marzipan and marmalade. The sherry, ever-present, adds candied nuts and a hint of salinity, but all perfectly balanced. Then I added a splash of water, and everything changed; the aromas tended even more sweet – wild honey, sticky toffee, almond roca – but the savory character of the malt and sherry really came alive on the palate. The espresso tone came to the forefront, coupled with walnuts and dark, burnt sugar. With such intense and dynamic flavors, any fan of single malt should be looking to pick up a bottle, let alone the sherry lovers.
