Signatory Mortlach 11 Year NCF

 

Another nice Signatory bottling of a single malt usually consigned to the blending vats - specifically, the vats of Johnny Walker in this case. Mortlach is known for using an uncommon distilling technique that amounts to 2.7x distilled, like Springbank. This supposedly results in a rather savory, meaty flavor profile. This bottle - 46% ABV, non-chillfiltered, natural color - is aged 11 year in bourbon barrels. Let's see how Mortlach tastes:

Signatory Edradour 10 Year NCF

 

Following on the heels of my lovely Signatory bottling of the Linkwood 11 year is this very nice Signatory bottling of Edradour 10 year. Edradour is usually a sherry-forward dram, but this independent bottling is even nicer than the usual core expression, being neither chill filtered nor colored, and coming in at a slightly higher than usual 46%. Not to mention the fancy silver canister the bottle arrives in.  

Compass Box Oak Cross

 

I found this Compass Box Oak Cross at a price I couldn't resist. I've had a number of their other standard offerings, especially The Peat Monster, but never this one. Consisting of a marriage of American and French oak, with the core idea being a blending of vanilla and spice, it is mainly Clynelish with a couple other malts mixed in the bargain for their various qualities and then finished in a special Compass Box cask for two years. Bottled at 43% with no chill filtration and no coloring. Let's see if it succeeded:

Signatory Linkwood 11 Year NCF

 

I've always been curious about Linkwood, one of the oldest distilleries out there (1821). Their 15 year routinely sells for north of $150. And owners Diageo uses most of Linkwood's output for blending, so it's a single malt you almost always see as an independent bottling. 

This one is part of Signatory's No Chill Filtration collection, and it's also uncolored - a beautiful light straw color that betrays how many other whiskies are tainted with E150. Aged for 11 years in a (presumably bourbon, presumably refill) hogshead, and bottled at 46% ABV. Let's see if rare ol' Linkwood makes the grade:

Caol Ila 12 Year (Third Take)

 

Time for my triennial review of Caol Ila's core 12 year expression. As usual, it's 43% ABV, chill filtered, and colored. A shame, that. But what can you expect from a Diageo blending whisky where 95% of the liquid gets tankered to the mainland for blending? Craft presentation on the remaining 5%? I don't think so. 

Laphroaig 10 Year (Second Take)

 

What a classic Laphroaig 10 Year is! It's been an unbelievable 6 years since I last reviewed this, so it's time for an update. One of the definitive Islay drams. I remembered it being a little bit stiffer than 43% ABV, but on the other hand maybe that low-ish percent explains how I've downed so many bottles so easily over the years - very little sting. However, it is colored and also chill filtered (fie!). Oh well, you can't have everything. Here we go...