Signatory 100 Proof Ledaig 6yo & Signatory 100 Proof Ben Nevis 7yo

Signatory 100 Proof Ledaig 6yo

Region: Highlands

ABV: 57.1%

Price: £52.95

Distilled in 2020 and bottled in 2026, this small batch Ledaig was matured in a combination of refill sherry hogsheads and refill bourbon barrels before bottling at 100 proof as Edition #76 in Signatory’s 100 proof series. No official outturn was revealed.

Nose

The nose opens with some light peach, vanilla and pear initially, it's softer than we were expecting. As time goes on, the whisky begins to give a bit more of the dirty character that Ledaig is known for - however still fairly restrained. There's a bit more youthfulness than we'd like - barley sugars and slightly yeasty new make. The alcohol is in decent balance though.

Palate

The palate opens with a nice texture, fairly creamy, with a lot of vanilla custard and sweet granulated sugar. There's a touch of lemon and desiccated coconut. Behind all this sits much more of a dirty, earthy, slightly burnt peat smoke, and the finish goes towards a drier, oakier flavour. There's a bit of black pepper and ginger spice that is lingering, and it's a tad warmer than we'd like. There's also some cocoa powder as the palate develops.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has a bit more of a sour, slightly medicinal aroma appearing, and some more peat smoke making itself known. Otherwise it's fairly similar to the unreduced nose.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the creamy mouthfeel, and is as dirty as before. Really not much has changed, maybe a little less spice but water hasn't really changed much. 

Conclusion

A lighter profile Ledaig on the nose, but the classic filthy spirit character really comes through on the palate. It's a tad youthful and the peat hasn't fully covered that up, however it's a decent drinker with some solid spirit character.

Score: 6/10

Value

We’ve definitely said this before, but it remains true, these small batch releases from Signatory consistently offer some of the best value you’ll find. 

Signatory 100 Proof Ben Nevis 7yo

Region: Highlands

ABV: 57.1%

Price: £49.95

Distilled in 2019 and bottled in 2026, this heavily peated Ben Nevis small batch was fully matured in second fill Oloroso sherry butts for Signatory Vintage’s 100 Proof range, Edition #75.

Nose

The nose opens with chlorine, buttercream biscuits, old newspaper, smoky pulled pork in barbeque sauce and a slightly maritime salinity. There's also some roast beef crisps and menthol cherries coming through. It's a full on nose - meaty, punchy sherry, but the peat isn't too overwhelming, it's giving more of a background smoke than full on foreground peat. Pushing past the sherry, there's a bit of pear and vanilla cream in the background.

Palate

The palate opens with some cherry jam, raspberry puree, salted caramel, moving into more of a beef bovril and cracked black pepper finish. It's got a fairly warm finish, quite spice driven, but moves into some roasted, candied nuts, digestive biscuits and brown sugar as it lingers on. Going back, we're also finding a bit of polished wood and Chinese five spice. The mouthfeel is ok, a little thinner than we'd expect though. It's a fair bit sweeter on the palate than it is on the nose.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has an addition of florality, some rose water, but is mostly unchanged. Still very meaty, still quite dirty, a fair amount of salt and some berry notes. 

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the same slightly disappointing texture, but we're getting more red fruits up front, a little more acidity, and a little sweeter overall. There's still a fair amount of dirty peat - but we think it's a little simpler now. 

Conclusion

A meaty, sherry forward Ben Nevis that drinks a bit above its age in our opinion. It's a bit too peppery in places, and has a bit of thin mouthfeel, but we know a lot of people who will really enjoy this. We're glad it was 2nd fill sherry butts, it would be totally overpowered if it had been in first fill.

Score: 6.5/10

Value

Like today’s other review this is great value.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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