Speyside (M) 18 yo (2008/2026), Signatory – Exceptional Cask 100 Proof (#18), 57.1%

Introduction

This single malt originates from the legendary Macallan distillery in the heart of Speyside and has been bottled by Signatory Vintage as part of their prestigious “Exceptional Cask 100 Proof” series. With 18 years spent in 1st fill Oloroso Sherry Butts, this bottle represents everything that Speyside whisky is celebrated for: depth, elegance, and a sumptuous fruitiness drawn from the finest sherry oak casks.

Production Method

• Raw materials: Traditional malted barley from Scotland, processed and mashed in accordance with Macallan’s well-established production standards in Speyside
• Distillation process: Distilled in 2008 in Macallan’s copper pot stills, renowned for producing a rich and full-bodied new make spirit with natural sweetness and fruitiness
• Maturation: 18 years in 1st fill Oloroso Sherry Butts – large casks (typically around 500 litres) that previously held Oloroso Sherry, imparting maximum colour, sweetness, and dried fruit complexity
• Special techniques: Bottled without colour filtration (non chill-filtered at cask strength), preserving all natural oils and flavour compounds intact – a defining characteristic of Signatory Vintage’s Exceptional Cask series

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich and inviting, with dark dried fruits – raisins, figs, and dates – combined with vanilla, dark chocolate, warming spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and hints of leather and aged oak from the mature sherry butts
• Palate: Full-bodied and rounded, with an explosion of Oloroso sherry sweetness, dried cherries, plums, candied orange peel, and dark caramel. The commanding 57.1% ABV adds a warm and spicy depth with notes of ginger and black pepper, while the oak’s tannic structure provides a well-balanced framework
• Finish: Long and lingering, with dried fruits, dark chocolate, and subtle smoky oak notes – leaving a warm, pleasant, and complex finish that underscores the 18 years spent in sherry oak

Serving Suggestions

• Serving temperature: Room temperature (approx. 18–20°C) to allow all the aromas to open up fully
• Glassware: A tulip glass or Glencairn glass, which concentrates the aromas and guides them pleasantly towards the nose
• Serving ideas: Best enjoyed neat to experience the full complexity at cask strength – optionally add a single drop of cold, soft water to further open up the fruity and spicy aromas
• Food pairings: Dark chocolate (70%+), aged cheeses such as Comté or Manchego, dried fruits and nuts, duck confit, or a classic crème brûlée

Product Specifications

• Alcohol content: 57.1% ABV (cask strength)
• Bottle size: 70 cl
• Country/region of origin: Scotland, Speyside – Macallan Distillery
• Certifications/Awards: Part of Signatory Vintage’s exclusively curated “Exceptional Cask 100 Proof” series (#18), released as a strictly limited number of bottles per cask

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

An 18-year-old Macallan from 1st fill Oloroso Sherry Butts at cask strength is not merely a whisky – it is a masterpiece of patience, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of the finest sherry oak casks.

Sourced from a single cask, the number of bottles in this series is strictly limited, and once they are gone, they are gone forever – this is a rare opportunity for the true collector and connoisseur.

Signatory Vintage is one of the world’s most respected independent bottlers, with decades of experience in selecting extraordinary casks, and this bottle is a direct testament to their uncompromising standards of quality.

Recognition Among Connoisseurs

Macallan Speyside whiskies matured in Oloroso Sherry Butts enjoy iconic status among whisky enthusiasts worldwide, and these combinations have time and again been recognised as some of the finest and most sought-after single malts on the market.

By choosing a bottle from Signatory Vintage’s Exceptional Cask series, you join an exclusive circle of whisky drinkers who place authenticity, transparency, and craftsmanship above all else.

The unadjusted cask strength and absence of chill-filtration are a mark of Signatory’s respect for the whisky – and for those who drink it.

From Signatory Vintage to You

For more than three decades, Signatory Vintage has worked with unwavering dedication to bring the most extraordinary single casks from Scotland’s finest distilleries directly to whisky lovers – without compromise and with full transparency regarding origin and maturation.

A love of true craftsmanship and the personal choices behind each individual cask are clearly felt in every glass from this series, and it is precisely this spirit that makes Signatory Vintage a bottler you return to time and time again.

Seize the opportunity to make this exceptional Speyside part of your collection or your next great tasting experience – and share it with those who deserve only the very best.