I tasted this Dram first at Amsterdam Airport and fell in love with it. Yes it is a little expensive, but worth Every Penny ! As you guys said, it is something you want to enjoy with your friends who will appreciate a really good dram, next to the Fireplace on a cold Canadian winter night.
So hard to find this one but my journey was complete yesterday when doing some Christmas shopping I came across it on a shelf at a new store I visited on rec from a whisky buddy. It was recommended buy a friend who's been helping me learn. It's one of his top all time favs so I knew it would be worth it. Let me say, I was amazed by this whisky. It is chocolate and mocha and coffee that would be evident to anyone. I put this as tops so far and that's compared to HP Ice Edition which took forever to acquire. To date, this is #1 for me - that's through my 8 months of this scotch adventure and around 40 bottles of scenery. This was more than I expected and so exciting of a Scotch. It's a must have in my book.
Love the Signet. Quality dram and well worth it in my opinion. I got my bottle for $170 which is on the lower end of what I've seen and would without a doubt by another bottle. Cheers!
The NAS whiskey craze manifested due to stock shortages that many distillers faced during less profitable years when sales dropped. I do not even consider this an NAS. This was designed from the ground up at a time when there was no such thing as "NAS" Every element of this whiskey was extremely well thought out. A prime example of form following function. There is definitely old whiskey in this as well, which gives it many of its decadent qualities. I would gladly pay $200 for this compared to some 18, 21, or even 25 year old's I have had. Signet is stellar even down to the very impressive presentation.
I bought it six years back from Auckland airport opened it couple of days back its one of the best whiskey I’ve ever had wish I had bought couple of them u definitely get chocolate n vanilla notes
Drank my first one about 4-5 years ago and have bought one every year since. Great bottle. I think the NAS keeps many from buying it, but there are few scotches that beat it.
Great review guys, makes me want to go buy this. This is one we haven't had. May be my Christmas bottle. Also if you were saying the Octomore's are NAS's they aren't. They state an age, they're just young (5 years on some).
I love this scotch! I watched your review a few times before I finally picked up a bottle, and then watched it again as I drank with you guys! I know Signet is already a sweet scotch, but it pairs nice with fruit and chocolate!
I've passed on this for years @ $179. I get the 18yo regularly for $89 and I'll just have a Stout or Porter on the side if I want chocolate malt ;-) ...but the completist in me will probably pick this up someday as it's like the Laphroaig 25yo, every store has one dusty bottle.
you'll find it for the right price someday and pull the trigger.....then you will be upset as you will end up paying more for the 2nd bottle...LOL. ~Mark
Another great review gents... I also was intrigued with all of your opinions on signet that I had to go a find one for myself. I found my bottle for 158 and jumped on it. Can’t wait to try. Happy new year to you all and looking forward to 2019 reviews.🥃 Cheers from California
Make sure to re-try this after letting it sit in the glasss 10+ minutes. It really opens up with some time due to a good chunk of this being around the 20 yr. age
I have not had this in a while..I think the coffee comes from the special chocolate malt added...I will pour a dram tonite again..mine is about 3 years old version...a unique pour for sure
Unbelievable bottle! But, it's heavy. At the end of the bottle I had all I wanted, I wasn't looking for another right away! Christmas Scotch for me! Please don't get me wrong it's worth the money! Appreciate this Scotch!😀
That's fair Ernest! And to be honest, I can see where you're coming from with this one! I love the toasted flavor I get on this bottle. It's a pretty hefty price, but it's good! ~Mark
Binny's wanted $260 + tax lol. Just got it for $160 (with tax) at a local store. I didn't find it had a huge burn at all neat ( I let it breathe for 15 minutes). I put a drop of water which opened it up to the spiciness. Lovely bottle!
Great review! Sounds delicious. I am off to buy a bottle now. Was debating between Signet, Mac Rare Cask, and the King. I was let down by Mac Ed 2 and already have 3 different bottles of Dalmore, so I went with Signet.
I bought a bottle of this and yet to be opened. Do you think if I take the plastic wrap off the top, there will be evaporation? Even if I dont touch the cork.
This one is an "eventually" bottle for me. Too many other high wants in a more affordable range for me right now. Maybe if I see it go on sale again in NH I'll have a friend pick me up one.
We got a deal on the bottle or it probably wouldn't have been on the bar. It's a good glass though and if you get a chance to try a bit it is definitely recommended. -Shawn
If you get the chance to try it in a flight of other offerings from Glenmorangie, it really shows it's differences in how it was put together. Very interesting glass. - Shawn
It's definitely a specialty bottling for sure. I still get behind Glenmorangie trying out some different methods, but I always think the scotch should be cheaper. - Shawn
Hi guys, Long time fan. I've been in to Scotch whisky for a couple of years still trying to find what I like. I'm a big Japanese fan specially nikka coffey malt due to the complexity and burst in flavors that develops in my palate. Also a big speyside due to the usual butterscotch vanilla caramel notes. I happened to try the Glenmorangie Signet and fell in love with it with the sweet and Chocolate Coffey notes it brings out BUT at the price point it cant be my everyday/weekend glass. I'm wondering if you have encountered any scotch with similar sweet chocolate or coffey notes. Any help or recommendation would be appreciated.
That unique coffee note is tough to replicate without toasting, but you can find some of that sweet chocolate flavor profile is some sherry cask matured whiskies.... I'd probably lean toward PX Sherry and at that exclusively matured in PX (not just finished). The Oloroso ones can be a little more bitter (think dark chocolate). I do agree with you on the Signet and really wish it could be an "everyday" drinker with that flavor profile. ~Mark
Hi guys, Nice review as always. Got one ( € 130,00 in the netherlands, 'bout the same as the king Alexander) so like to do a head to head with some friends. To me, the sound and video wasn't just right the final couple of minutes. Just me or a editing thing? Do you guys got a website or excel sheet with all the scores? You've been a great help to get my collection started! Thanks for that!
Thanks for watching us. We try hard to put out quality videos, but unfortunately none of us have any formal training. Occasionally if something isn't quite right we have to decide if we want to reshoot or if we want to call it good enough. We do have a website that also lists all our reviews and ratings. Here is the link: www.scotch4dummies.com/our-ratings-page/ -Shawn
Well they're two different bottles. For me, Deanston 20 all day every day. But it has what I love in a scotch. Sherry, burnt toast, fruits etc. The Signet is fantastic as well, but more creme brulee and chocolate. Plus the 20 is really hard to find.
Great review, guys. I agree, this is magic in a bottle. With wine, I always look for that $20 bottle that tastes like a $50 bottle. This scotch just set the bar for the hunt... anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper bottle that has anything even close to this profile?
New subscriber here! This bottle has been on my wish list for a while so I had to hear what you guys had to say about it. Quick question, what glasses were you using? They look like Glencairns but bigger. Do you prefer these over the standard Glencairn?
Exactly what they are BIG Glencairns....they were a gift from a subscriber and in all honestly, we do like using them for reviews as they are easier to get your nose into when you really want to "put an ankle in it"!! Plus they allow for larger pours...LOL ;-)~Mark
Thanks for the reply. I know these were a gift, but any chance you know where to get these? I've search all over Amazon and Google with no luck. I have the regular Glencairns, but I'd love to have these in my collection.
I was wondering when you fellas would get around to this premium priced whisky. I don't find the value there, but if someone offers me a dram I never say no.
I have to agree with you. I only don't mind dishing the money once in a blue moon for this because it is somewhat unique and it is certainly one of my very favorites but I would say a decent chunk of the cost goes into that solid metal top and specialty bottle.
Please guys, what's the difference between New Make and Whisky? And is the waiting period in the barrel for Scotch 3 years or 3 years + one day? I'm confused.
+NOEL MOITRA New make is what comes out of the still and may or may not be diluted to go in the cask or bottle (white lightening). That new make is technically a whisky (distilled grain beer) but not Scotch. Scotch requires the aging and casting.
For starters bourbon casks are plentiful as in the bourbon world they can only be used once. But, aside from the stock piles, they offer a really good base oak flavor without too much. The bourbon tames down some of that over powering oak and offers some flavor to pass along to the scotch. ~Mark
Saying that it's not a single malt because it uses a roasted malt is like saying a peated malt isn't a single malt because it's peated. If it's malted barley and distilled at one distillery, then it's a single malt. I don't care what kind of malted barley you're using.
This does sound a beauty, and I seem to remember it getting a lot of praise on reddit as well. Perhaps one day I'll grab one, but currently I'm limiting my max budget to around £65 a bottle, and Signet is double that!
It is pricey but if you have a chance to try a dram it is worth your time. We have tried it a few times at different scotch events before we bought a bottle for ourselves. - Shawn
Mash bill? It's a single malt And the colour comes from the casks, not the chocolate malt. After distilling the chocolate malt is clear. Signet was inspired by Blue Mountain coffee... So yes it has coffee notes. 46% is not hot - It is an integrity ABV. At 46% no chill filtering is required for clarity. How is offering different malting processes and using different stock a trick? You guys need to educate yourselves. Hearing you guys talk makes my brain hurt with all the stupid comments.
+Whiskey Tango Foxtrot It is not your typical scotch. The deep coffee initially set me off, but once everything came together, it was really nice. ~Andrew
It's malt, water, and yeast from one distillery. It's a single malt. End of discussion. Even if they add color (which they don't), and chill filter it (which they don't), it's still a single malt. So, the argument over whether dark roasting the barley makes it "colored" is irrelevant. They do the same with beer to change the flavor and color, but nobody argues over whether that process somehow makes it 'artificial". Also, you're kind of stingy knocking down your ratings because of the cost. This is the most expensive bottle I've bought and I have to tell you that I would not hesitate to buy another. You have to pay the price as you approach perfection.
No age statement because it is a blend of different years people. I have had this, it is simply heaven on earth. Hard to find.
I tasted this Dram first at Amsterdam Airport and fell in love with it. Yes it is a little expensive, but worth Every Penny ! As you guys said, it is something you want to enjoy with your friends who will appreciate a really good dram, next to the Fireplace on a cold Canadian winter night.
Had this during a whisky tasting on a cruise. I thought I went to heaven! Despite the expense, it is now in my bar.
So hard to find this one but my journey was complete yesterday when doing some Christmas shopping I came across it on a shelf at a new store I visited on rec from a whisky buddy. It was recommended buy a friend who's been helping me learn. It's one of his top all time favs so I knew it would be worth it. Let me say, I was amazed by this whisky. It is chocolate and mocha and coffee that would be evident to anyone. I put this as tops so far and that's compared to HP Ice Edition which took forever to acquire. To date, this is #1 for me - that's through my 8 months of this scotch adventure and around 40 bottles of scenery. This was more than I expected and so exciting of a Scotch. It's a must have in my book.
Love the Signet. Quality dram and well worth it in my opinion. I got my bottle for $170 which is on the lower end of what I've seen and would without a doubt by another bottle. Cheers!
The NAS whiskey craze manifested due to stock shortages that many distillers faced during less profitable years when sales dropped. I do not even consider this an NAS. This was designed from the ground up at a time when there was no such thing as "NAS" Every element of this whiskey was extremely well thought out. A prime example of form following function. There is definitely old whiskey in this as well, which gives it many of its decadent qualities. I would gladly pay $200 for this compared to some 18, 21, or even 25 year old's I have had. Signet is stellar even down to the very impressive presentation.
+SilverGold Prince well said and completely agree.
I bought it six years back from Auckland airport opened it couple of days back its one of the best whiskey I’ve ever had wish I had bought couple of them u definitely get chocolate n vanilla notes
Drank my first one about 4-5 years ago and have bought one every year since. Great bottle. I think the NAS keeps many from buying it, but there are few scotches that beat it.
I know it's a bit late but I picked up a bottle for $136. I'll be drinking it this Christmas season. Thanks for the review!
Great review guys, makes me want to go buy this. This is one we haven't had. May be my Christmas bottle. Also if you were saying the Octomore's are NAS's they aren't. They state an age, they're just young (5 years on some).
+Scotch Test Dummies good point about the Octomores
I love this scotch! I watched your review a few times before I finally picked up a bottle, and then watched it again as I drank with you guys! I know Signet is already a sweet scotch, but it pairs nice with fruit and chocolate!
Try it with creme brûlée. It’s a really nice food pairing scotch. Glad you enjoyed it!
- Shawn
I've passed on this for years @ $179. I get the 18yo regularly for $89 and I'll just have a Stout or Porter on the side if I want chocolate malt ;-) ...but the completist in me will probably pick this up someday as it's like the Laphroaig 25yo, every store has one dusty bottle.
you'll find it for the right price someday and pull the trigger.....then you will be upset as you will end up paying more for the 2nd bottle...LOL.
~Mark
Another great review gents... I also was intrigued with all of your opinions on signet that I had to go a find one for myself. I found my bottle for 158 and jumped on it. Can’t wait to try. Happy new year to you all and looking forward to 2019 reviews.🥃 Cheers from California
Ouu, exciting! We hope you enjoy the Signet as much as we do. Such a great dram! HYN ~Mark
That Whiskey is unlike anything I have ever tried.
Make sure to re-try this after letting it sit in the glasss 10+ minutes. It really opens up with some time due to a good chunk of this being around the 20 yr. age
We'll pour our drams early tonight for the live show to see what you're talking about! :-)
~Mark
I have not had this in a while..I think the coffee comes from the special chocolate malt added...I will pour a dram tonite again..mine is about 3 years old version...a unique pour for sure
Unbelievable bottle! But, it's heavy. At the end of the bottle I had all I wanted, I wasn't looking for another right away! Christmas Scotch for me! Please don't get me wrong it's worth the money! Appreciate this Scotch!😀
That's fair Ernest! And to be honest, I can see where you're coming from with this one! I love the toasted flavor I get on this bottle. It's a pretty hefty price, but it's good! ~Mark
Scotch 4 Dummies It's cool y'all respond! Thanks!😀
Binny's wanted $260 + tax lol. Just got it for $160 (with tax) at a local store. I didn't find it had a huge burn at all neat ( I let it breathe for 15 minutes). I put a drop of water which opened it up to the spiciness. Lovely bottle!
It is good stuff for sure! ~Mark
Great review! Sounds delicious. I am off to buy a bottle now. Was debating between Signet, Mac Rare Cask, and the King. I was let down by Mac Ed 2 and already have 3 different bottles of Dalmore, so I went with Signet.
BOOM! Tough as that KAIII is damn good, but you really can't go wrong with Signet! Enjoy!! ~Mark
I bought a bottle of this and yet to be opened. Do you think if I take the plastic wrap off the top, there will be evaporation? Even if I dont touch the cork.
Every year i have a pull or 2 from it, its my special occasion dram absolutely gorgeous scotch.
It's so unique and delish!!!! ~Mark
This one is an "eventually" bottle for me. Too many other high wants in a more affordable range for me right now. Maybe if I see it go on sale again in NH I'll have a friend pick me up one.
We got a deal on the bottle or it probably wouldn't have been on the bar. It's a good glass though and if you get a chance to try a bit it is definitely recommended.
-Shawn
This might be my Christmas bottle this year. Great review.
+Tom R I think you would be happy with that pick.
- Shawn
I'm going to a Scotch tasting tonight guys. This is one that we will be sampling. Great review, I can't wait try this!
Was considering getting this or finally trying the Mac 18. The ball is in the Signet's court after watching this video!
I would suggest it over the Mac 18...but that's just me!~Mark
Someone did their homework before the show, very informative, thanks!
Good review guy's .I haven't been able to find the Signet here in Santa Cruz but I'll keep hunting
Keep looking...worth it!
@@Scotch4Dummies
What about ratings. Out of 5 stars how many stars do you give?
This is my personal favorite! If you're a coffee and chocolate lover this is the whisky for you! Cheers😀
It's most definitely good! ~Mark
Maybe I'll try it if I ever find this bottle... Your descriptions are intriguing.
If you get the chance to try it in a flight of other offerings from Glenmorangie, it really shows it's differences in how it was put together. Very interesting glass.
- Shawn
Good review guys. I was left wanting more with this whisky. Thought it was a little underwhelming for the price.
It's definitely a specialty bottling for sure. I still get behind Glenmorangie trying out some different methods, but I always think the scotch should be cheaper.
- Shawn
Hi guys, Long time fan.
I've been in to Scotch whisky for a couple of years still trying to find what I like. I'm a big Japanese fan specially nikka coffey malt due to the complexity and burst in flavors that develops in my palate. Also a big speyside due to the usual butterscotch vanilla caramel notes. I happened to try the Glenmorangie Signet and fell in love with it with the sweet and Chocolate Coffey notes it brings out BUT at the price point it cant be my everyday/weekend glass. I'm wondering if you have encountered any scotch with similar sweet chocolate or coffey notes.
Any help or recommendation would be appreciated.
That unique coffee note is tough to replicate without toasting, but you can find some of that sweet chocolate flavor profile is some sherry cask matured whiskies.... I'd probably lean toward PX Sherry and at that exclusively matured in PX (not just finished). The Oloroso ones can be a little more bitter (think dark chocolate).
I do agree with you on the Signet and really wish it could be an "everyday" drinker with that flavor profile. ~Mark
Hi guys, Nice review as always. Got one ( € 130,00 in the netherlands, 'bout the same as the king Alexander) so like to do a head to head with some friends. To me, the sound and video wasn't just right the final couple of minutes. Just me or a editing thing? Do you guys got a website or excel sheet with all the scores? You've been a great help to get my collection started! Thanks for that!
Thanks for watching us. We try hard to put out quality videos, but unfortunately none of us have any formal training. Occasionally if something isn't quite right we have to decide if we want to reshoot or if we want to call it good enough. We do have a website that also lists all our reviews and ratings. Here is the link:
www.scotch4dummies.com/our-ratings-page/
-Shawn
Great Review Boys.....the Signet is so good just a little overpriced for my blood.
Not something we can drink everyday but really nice for a special bottle.
-Shawn
PS when are we going to have you on the live show?
Whenever you guys will have me:)
Yup I'm a fan... This is my favorite scotch of all time! Simply put, it's just damn good!
I agree. This is a love at first sip dram. ~Andrew
Question: What should I purchase first Glenmorangie Scotch Single Malt Signet or Deanston Scotch Single Malt 20 Year Oloroso Cask Finish?
Well they're two different bottles. For me, Deanston 20 all day every day. But it has what I love in a scotch. Sherry, burnt toast, fruits etc. The Signet is fantastic as well, but more creme brulee and chocolate. Plus the 20 is really hard to find.
Scotch 4 Dummies I purchased the Deanston 20 online! It should arrive soon! Thanks for the advice! You guys rock!
Can't wait to have a dram of this with ya Thursday night.
nectar of the gods
Another bucket list whisky 👍
Nice job guys.
Slainte.
We need to get you a dram of this Corey....it really is good! ~Mark
Great review, guys. I agree, this is magic in a bottle. With wine, I always look for that $20 bottle that tastes like a $50 bottle. This scotch just set the bar for the hunt... anyone have any recommendations for a cheaper bottle that has anything even close to this profile?
Its an experiment, so no.
New subscriber here! This bottle has been on my wish list for a while so I had to hear what you guys had to say about it. Quick question, what glasses were you using? They look like Glencairns but bigger. Do you prefer these over the standard Glencairn?
Exactly what they are BIG Glencairns....they were a gift from a subscriber and in all honestly, we do like using them for reviews as they are easier to get your nose into when you really want to "put an ankle in it"!! Plus they allow for larger pours...LOL ;-)~Mark
Thanks for the reply. I know these were a gift, but any chance you know where to get these? I've search all over Amazon and Google with no luck. I have the regular Glencairns, but I'd love to have these in my collection.
+Brandon Lang www.taylordmilestones.com
Beautiful! Thank you!!
I was wondering when you fellas would get around to this premium priced whisky. I don't find the value there, but if someone offers me a dram I never say no.
I have to agree with you. I only don't mind dishing the money once in a blue moon for this because it is somewhat unique and it is certainly one of my very favorites but I would say a decent chunk of the cost goes into that solid metal top and specialty bottle.
Great review. Signet is fantastic
Agreed! :-) ~Mark
Please guys, what's the difference between New Make and Whisky? And is the waiting period in the barrel for Scotch 3 years or 3 years + one day? I'm confused.
+NOEL MOITRA New make is what comes out of the still and may or may not be diluted to go in the cask or bottle (white lightening). That new make is technically a whisky (distilled grain beer) but not Scotch. Scotch requires the aging and casting.
I would love to see this bottle re-reviewed.
Working on it!
NAS in general just have a harsher alcohol burn towards the finish, which makes me a sad panda.
Not all NAS's...although I think I can get behind your statement if you changed it to "many"... ;-)~Mark
Why are bourbon casks almost always used? I strongly dislike bourbon (general sickly and sweet) but love most whiskey and most scotch.
For starters bourbon casks are plentiful as in the bourbon world they can only be used once. But, aside from the stock piles, they offer a really good base oak flavor without too much. The bourbon tames down some of that over powering oak and offers some flavor to pass along to the scotch. ~Mark
@@Scotch4Dummies makes sense. Thank you for the response
Nothing wrong a good NAS bottle, but far too often some distillers release some bad whisky under a NAS
can't argue that...~Mark
Saying that it's not a single malt because it uses a roasted malt is like saying a peated malt isn't a single malt because it's peated. If it's malted barley and distilled at one distillery, then it's a single malt. I don't care what kind of malted barley you're using.
This does sound a beauty, and I seem to remember it getting a lot of praise on reddit as well. Perhaps one day I'll grab one, but currently I'm limiting my max budget to around £65 a bottle, and Signet is double that!
It is pricey but if you have a chance to try a dram it is worth your time. We have tried it a few times at different scotch events before we bought a bottle for ourselves.
- Shawn
I know someone who is kind of a whisky journalist, maybe he'll have a sample I can swoop from him! :D
Such an incredible and masterfully complex scotch! So unique! C-... 😂 what???
Mash bill? It's a single malt And the colour comes from the casks, not the chocolate malt. After distilling the chocolate malt is clear. Signet was inspired by Blue Mountain coffee... So yes it has coffee notes. 46% is not hot - It is an integrity ABV. At 46% no chill filtering is required for clarity. How is offering different malting processes and using different stock a trick? You guys need to educate yourselves. Hearing you guys talk makes my brain hurt with all the stupid comments.
I just bought this bottle for 140$
GREAT Price!!!
Nice score. 170 on sale around here, 250 normally.
Dan H.
I also got Glenfiddich 30 year old for $531 that's $800.
Also got the xo cognac on sale
Exceptional whisky, but , cant afford it, almost $200.
This one disappointed me, interesting how many people enjoyed this.
+Whiskey Tango Foxtrot It is not your typical scotch. The deep coffee initially set me off, but once everything came together, it was really nice. ~Andrew
It's malt, water, and yeast from one distillery. It's a single malt. End of discussion. Even if they add color (which they don't), and chill filter it (which they don't), it's still a single malt. So, the argument over whether dark roasting the barley makes it "colored" is irrelevant. They do the same with beer to change the flavor and color, but nobody argues over whether that process somehow makes it 'artificial". Also, you're kind of stingy knocking down your ratings because of the cost. This is the most expensive bottle I've bought and I have to tell you that I would not hesitate to buy another. You have to pay the price as you approach perfection.
First!
Why ding it for the price.. Get over it, and save up for it!