Glentauchers 2012 12 Year Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

A limited release Glentauchers 2012, aged 12 years, from Speyside, bottled in 2024 by Signatory Vintage for their impressive 100-Proof Editions. Each is bottled at 57.1% ABV without coloring or chill filtration. This Signatory Glentauchers 2012 at 100-proof comes from small-batch, first-fill Oloroso sherry butts, imparting a lovely dark chestnut hue. Glentauchers is a rather obscure Speyside distillery, not typically generating significant excitement among whisky enthusiasts – making it an ideal candidate for a range of value cask-strength bottlings like this. Savvy sherry whisky fans should definitely consider this. Nose: A direct hit of raisin, sweet red fruit, and fig. Adding water reveals more of the original malt and some sweet fruity notes. Overall, the robust Oloroso characteristics dominate. Taste: The sherry is initially prominent. With time and air, more fruit sweetness emerges, along with a hint of sour orange. The optimal balance is achieved after thirty minutes with a little water. Finish: Medium in length. The robust notes are well-represented, complemented by sweet red fruits, figs, and a touch of almond. My assessment is that for the price, you will find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to discover a superior off-the-beaten-path whisky. It excels and is certainly not a supermarket find... so my recommendation is, if you're exploring whisky and have grown weary of the commonly marketed 40-43% ABV colored, chill-filtered products from major brands, try this. Excellent value and a fantastic whisky; it easily competes with whiskies in the mid-hundreds price range.