Glen Garioch | Signatory Vintage | Small Batch Edition #14 | 12 Jahre | 48,2%

The Glen Garioch Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest whisky distilleries, was established in 1797 in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire. Located in the fertile valley known as "The Granary of Aberdeenshire," Oldmeldrum provides the ideal conditions for producing top-quality barley, a crucial factor for high-quality whisky production​​. Glen Garioch, pronounced 'Geery', has made a name for itself by utilizing local resources and a long tradition of whisky making.

Over the years, the distillery has experienced several changes in ownership and was temporarily closed in 1968 due to water shortages. However, it resumed operations in 1972 thanks to the discovery of a new water source, "The Silent Spring". Today, the distillery is operated by Morrison Bowmore Distillers, part of the Japanese company Beam Suntory​​.

Glen Garioch is characterized by its deep, cereal, and spicy notes, achieved through short fermentation times. Aging transforms the whisky's heaviness into a thick, fat texture, allowing honeyed fruits and heather notes to emerge. Since the 1990s, the whisky has been produced unpeated, although in recent years, small batches of smoky barley have been used again​​.

The distillery draws its water from the mineral-rich burns in the Percock hills, also located in Aberdeenshire, contributing to the whisky's depth of flavor. With a production capacity of 1 million liters of pure alcohol per year, it currently operates at about three-quarters of its capacity, producing 700,000 liters annually​​.

Glen Garioch offers both official and independent bottlings, including 8-year-old, 12-year-old, and 15-year-old Founder's Reserve without an age statement, as well as a 12-year-old bottle. Occasionally, vintage bottles are also available, which sell quickly and are available in limited quantities. Independent bottlings have been critically acclaimed, including those by Douglas Laing and Co. and Gordon & MacPhail​​.

The distillery has a long and eventful history, surviving over two centuries of change and development. After its founding by Alexander Manson in 1797, the distillery changed hands several times until it was finally sold to T.G. Thomson & Co of Leith. William Sanderson, known for creating the famous blend "VAT 69", played a pivotal role in the distillery's history when he acquired a 50% stake in 1886​​.

Today, Glen Garioch is a proud member of the Beam Suntory portfolio, focusing exclusively on the production of Single Malt, with all its production going into single malt bottlings​​. Glen Garioch remains a hidden gem in the world of Scottish whisky, fascinating whisky enthusiasts and lovers alike with its rich history and unique character.

Signatory Vintage, based in Perthshire, Scotland, is a leading independent bottler known since its founding in 1988 by Andrew Symington for its exquisite and rare Scottish whiskies. With access to approximately 35,000 casks, Signatory offers an impressive range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies that highlight the unique properties of each individual cask.

Diverse Premium Quality Offerings

The Signatory Vintage product range includes regular bottlings at 43% alcohol content, a cask strength series, and a non-chill-filtered series. Each of these series is appreciated for their purity and authenticity, as they forego artificial colorants and chill filtration. These practices help preserve the natural taste and color of the whisky, which is particularly popular among connoisseurs.

Preservers of History

A special aspect of Signatory Vintage is their commitment to preserving whiskies from closed distilleries. These bottlings offer enthusiasts the rare opportunity to taste whiskies from a bygone era of whisky production. The acquisition of the Edradour Distillery in 2002 marked another milestone for Signatory Vintage, as they now also oversee the distillation process themselves, thus gaining greater control over production.

Exclusive Bottlings and Collectibles

Among the notable releases are the Cask Strength Collection, which offers whiskies at cask strength, and the Silent Stills series, which includes the last available quantities from no longer existing distilleries. These series are particularly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs looking for extraordinary and limited editions.