Description

North British 1991 Aged 33 Years Single Grain Scotch Whisky – Cask Strength Collection By Signatory Vintage Cask #262087 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 53.2%           Age: 33 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): 262087
Date of Distilling: 02.09.1991
Date of Bottling: 16.12.2024
Matured In: A refill Oloroso Sherry Butt
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Experience the breathtaking elegance of ultra aged grain with the Signatory Vintage North British 33 Year Old (Cask #262087). Part of the prestigious Cask Strength Collection, this 700ml single grain Scotch was distilled on September 2, 1991, and matured for over three decades in a single Refill Oloroso Sherry Butt. Bottled in late 2024 for the 2025 market at a robust 53.2% ABV, this release is a masterclass in how time and quality wood can transform a humble grain spirit into a complex, world class dram.

Only 430 bottles were produced from this lone butt. North British is unique among grain distilleries for historically using a high percentage of maize (corn), which, after 33 years of maturation, provides a much creamier and “maltier” profile than the wheat-based spirits common today. As is tradition for Signatory, this is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, retaining the deep amber hue earned over 33 winters in the warehouse.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Soft, mature, and deeply inviting. The Oloroso influence is immediately apparent with aromas of raisin loaf, dark dried fruits, and cake spices. This is beautifully balanced by the grain’s signature sweetness—think vanilla cream, caramelized sugar, and a hint of chocolate truffle.

Palate: The mouthfeel is exceptionally smooth, silky, and “chewy.” It delivers a rich tapestry of toffee fudge, baked banana, and toasted bread. Mid-palate, the 53.2% ABV provides a spicy warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, perfectly integrated with the nutty depth of toasted almonds and a touch of polished oak.

Finish: Long, balanced, and remarkably elegant. The finish lingers with a final flourish of dried dates and honeyed cereal, tapering off with a savoury-sweet whisper of mellow oak tannins and sweet grain biscuits.

The Distillery

Founded in 1885 and located in the heart of Edinburgh, the North British Distillery is one of the pillars of the Scotch industry. Originally established by a group of independent blenders to ensure their own supply of grain whisky, it has remained a vital component of world-famous blends like Johnnie Walker. A unique factual detail: North British is one of the few remaining major distilleries to utilize maize in its mash bill, contributing to a heavier, oilier spirit that excels during long term aging. By releasing this as a 33-year-old single grain, Signatory allows this “workhorse” spirit to finally take center stage as a refined Lowland masterpiece.

Overall Review

The Signatory North British 33 Year Old Cask #262087 is globally reviewed as a “shining example of why aged grain matters,” praised for its incredible value and rich, dessert-like complexity. Critics have lauded its “silky texture and deep Oloroso integration,” marking it as a mandatory acquisition for connoisseurs looking for the sophistication of a 30+ year old whisky without the single malt price tag.