The Unchill-filtered range from Signatory Vintage is an entry-level selection. While a bottling strength of 46% used to be a nice selling proposition back in the early 2000s (in fact, the first releases were still 43% while most official bottlings were 40%), it is nowadays perhaps less impressive. It has become more of an affordable range with unchill-filtration as a fairly lightweight selling proposition, nowadays offered by virtually all independent bottlers.
We try two whiskies bottled a while ago: Knockando from dechar-rechar hogsheads and Glenlossie from first-fill bourbon casks. As often these are not single cask releases but combinations of several sister casks.
Knockando 10 yo 2011 (46%, Signatory Vintage ‘Un-Chillfiltered’ 2022, hogsheads #306232 + 306248)
Nose: starts on draff, porridge and iceberg lettuce, really. Light aromas like lemon candy and lime, honey and white grape as well. Then it turns towards a salty, coastal note with a sour and lightly metallic edge. Butter biscuits in the distance. Simple but certainly not boring.
Mouth: still this funny green note that’s not quite grassy but more of an earthy vegetable note. Slightly dirty, with herbal and bitter touches too. Then green malt, plenty of freshly cut apples and loads of ale. Walnuts and linden tea, as well as some white pepper.
Finish: medium length, with pepper, citrus peels and more bitter herbs.
It kinda convinced me on the nose, even though it’s not a classic dram, but on the palate it becomes too rough and rude. There, we’ve had our Knockando for this year. Now I understand it was available for less than € 40, which means we’re probably not part of the intended audience.
Glenlossie 13 yo 2009 (46%, Signatory Vintage ‘Un-Chillfiltered’ 2022, first fill bourbon barrels #3392 + 3396 + 3400)
Nose: fresh wood shavings at first, like a dusty Ikea drawer. Moves towards grassy notes and dried herbs (oregano and lavas?). Then green apples, lemon candy and floral notes. Later it becomes slightly creamier with a hint of vanilla.
Mouth: again a little plankish, leaving a bittersweet impression with lime and lemon peelings, green tea, hints of ginger, vanilla and yellow fruits. Quite green and immature. A lightly perfumed edge too.
Finish: medium, slightly harsh and woody again, with white pepper and hints of bitter herbs.
Okay, still not convincing. Signatory is releasing delicious stuff in the upper regions, but it’s clear that corners are cut in the cheaper stuff. A down to earth session (which is obligatory, once in a while). Score: 74/100