Description

Speyside (M) 2009 Aged 15 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Small Batch Edition #19 Signatory Vintage (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 48.2%           Age: 15 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): #19
Date of Distilling: 2009
Date of Bottling: 2025
Matured In: 1st Fill & 2nd Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Uncover the elegance of a “secret” Speyside icon with the Signatory Vintage Speyside (M) 15 Year Old (Small Batch #19). Part of the highly successful Small Batch Edition series, this 700ml single malt was distilled in 2009 and matured for 15 years. As the “(M)” designation suggests to those in the know, this is spirit from the world renowned Macallan Distillery, bottled by Signatory to offer a pure, high strength alternative to official releases.

Small Batch #19 is a marriage of three First-Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts, bottled in 2025 at a robust 48.2% ABV. While official bottlings at this age are often dialled back to 40% or 43%, Signatory presents this spirit at a higher proof to better carry the rich, oily texture of the Macallan distillate. True to the bottler’s ethos, it is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, allowing the deep, reddish-gold hue of the first-fill sherry wood to take centre stage.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Classic, sophisticated, and sherry driven. The nose opens with a fragrant burst of dried cranberries and sultanas, followed by the warmth of gingerbread and vanilla bean. As it breathes, more delicate notes of orange marmalade and floral honey emerge, characteristic of the Macallan spirit.

Palate: The mouthfeel is rich and velvety. It delivers an immediate wave of dark chocolate, toasted hazelnuts, and Christmas cake spices. Mid-palate, the Oloroso influence provides a drying, nutty depth that is perfectly balanced by red apple skins and a touch of butterscotch.

Finish: Long and elegantly drying. The finish lingers with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of old leather, finally tapering off with a sweet, fruity flourish of blackberry jam and soft oak tannins.

The Independent Bottler

Signatory Vintage, based at the picturesque Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry, is one of Scotland’s most discerning independent bottlers. Their “Small Batch” series aims to bridge the gap between single casks and large scale production, vatting just a handful of exceptional barrels to create a consistent yet complex profile. A unique factual detail: Signatory’s access to Macallan spirit (labeled as Speyside M) is a legacy of decades-long relationships in the industry, allowing them to select casks that highlight the distillery’s robust, “heavy” style that works so well with first-fill European oak.

Overall Review

The Signatory Speyside (M) 15 Year Old Small Batch #19 is globally reviewed as a “sophisticated and essential sherry malt,” praised for providing the authentic Macallan experience at a much more accessible price point and a superior ABV. Critics have lauded its “perfectly judged sherry influence,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for fans of the 18-year-old official bottling who are looking for more “oomph.”