I’ve already praised Signatory Vintage for their new 100 Proof range. As have many others. But this independent bottler has long been offering affordable releases. Their Small Batch Editions, which have been around since 2018, are just one such example. Today, I review the Mortlach 2012 11 Years Small Batch Edition #1.
All of Signatory’s Small Batch Editions are bottled at just above 48 per cent, which I would classify as perfect drinking strength. And as the name suggests, these whiskies are not single casks, but rather a vatting of several casks. The releases are numbered, but I haven’t yet figured out any rhyme or reason. Let me know if you do.
The Mortlach 2012 11 Years Small Batch Edition #1 has matured in both ex-Oloroso sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks. Whiskybase even mentions first-fill sherry casks, but there’s nothing on the label suggesting that’s actually the case. Although that colour…
Mortlach 2012 11 Years Small Batch Edition #1 (48.2%, Signatory Vintage, 2023)
Nose: There’s a definitive sliver of sulphur, accompanied by tangerines, a subtle note of hessian, some dried fruits and autumn leaves. Then a sliver of plums, just a bit of crème de cassis, and sultanas.
Taste: Decent viscosity and mouthfeel. A mixture of gentle oak spices – such as cloves, nutmeg and ginger – with sweet caramel, raspberry marmalade and bitter chocolate. Some gentle orange zest as well.
Finish: Medium length with lingering notes of tobacco, cedarwood and milk chocolate. Somewhat dry though.
Photo: Whic.de