Signatory – Ledaig 15 year old.

Sitting here watching the Super Bowl (2nd quarter and Saints just scored a field goal), and drinking Ledaig 15 year old by Signatory

  When I first starting drinking and collecting scotch, I stayed with the expressions from the distilleries.  I figured how can an independent bottler do any better than the original.  I attended a tasting at the Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton that featured a collection from Signatory, an independent bottler.   I was blown away!  Signatory does a great job of making available someone else’s product.  As I am told, Signatory tries to keep the scotch natural, they don’t add coloring or chill filter.  Most of their products are cask strength, and those that are, the bottles are clearly marked the distilled date, bottled date, and what type of maturation. 

  That night I had the Leadaig 15 year old, distilled on 03/19/1993 and bottled on 08/12/2008.  It was matured in a hogshead barrel and came from cask number 401.  Right away I liked this stuff.  I knew that Ledaig comes from the Tobermory Distillery, and was their peated version.    What I really liked was the first time I ever had Ledaig (the 10 year old from the distillery) the peat and smoke really stood out. Not with this bottle, however.  Yes there is a little bit of peat, and a little bit of smoke, but not overpowering.   It has a good taste, mild fruit, clean and fresh.  What I like about it is it isn’ strong in any of the characteristic (smoke, peat, fruit, etc).    There really isn’t anything I don’t like about it.  The price is right, mid $40’s.   Signatory, you’re one of my favorites, can’t wait to try others you put out.