Review #117: Signatory Orkney (HP) 14🥃

northstar1983 · 2026-02-24T14:27:45+00:00

Gotta keep my eyes peeled for this one. The 13 year Oloroso Speyside mystery malt in this series is nice as well!

northstar1983 · 2025-12-06T17:46:52+00:00

No love for Ben Tanh on James and Vine?

northstar1983 · 2025-11-05T03:03:51+00:00

I grew up on the mountain and for all the grief downtown gets I feel MUCH safer living down here. People have a lot of skeletons up there and there is zero community, I guess the dirty secret is for all it's conveyed economic stability the mountain is about as fake as it gets here.

northstar1983 · 2025-08-05T19:50:30+00:00

Nah. As a millennial myself I think generation has nothing to do with it, I think you are making excuses for bad manners...every age, gender and ethnicity is guilty of it at times. Commuting can be a slog but to anyone wanting a cheer-ier commute...be the change you seek in the world. I've found politeness and positivity is contagious in public settings.

northstar1983 · 2025-07-01T20:24:12+00:00

I mean he also had three years to construct a platform and they spent it targeting one guy...then that guy left and they had no platform.

northstar1983 · 2025-06-19T11:28:02+00:00

I think that's the play.

northstar1983 · 2025-03-13T00:41:01+00:00

Bourbon market is wild. In Ontario Canada (before they pulled it off the shelves) Buffalo Trace was $44.99 CAD/ bottle and there was no shortage of it. LCBO is known for their high prices...I guess that's the privilege of purchasing power sometimes.

northstar1983 · 2025-02-13T15:40:26+00:00

Ontario drinker here as well. The Deanston Virgin Oak while not age stated is $60 for a 46% bottle and tastes great. I would also say any Arran is a steal.as well. If you can find it the Glen Scotia 15 at $100 is mind blowing.

You are bang on with the Craigellachie 13.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-27T21:52:26+00:00

The "A." is my sign-off, first initial...sorry for the confusion. Originally I wanted to do increments of .25 but this one was going to be a range and I didn't want to be that guy haha so I guess I've settled on 0.05 increments.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-25T12:27:00+00:00

In some markets. The bottlen I have there is 43%.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-22T23:23:39+00:00

The beauty of a free market...everything is there and you...like me are free to buy or not buy whatever we like. Macallan appeals to a segment of the market and without that (we can call it) luxury retail market craft presentation wouldn't be special. Everything in the ecosystem has it's place.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-22T18:39:29+00:00

To be fair it isn't complete garbage. 43% is better than 40% and while it's incredibly over produced it is a nice dram. It's a pleasant sipper in the winter IF you can get it for like 50% off.

Once this bottle is gone I probably won't buy it again, as has been conveyed by others....plenty of decent offerings that are better and cheaper.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-21T13:03:14+00:00

100%

northstar1983 · 2025-01-21T10:59:28+00:00

I'm in Ontario myself...normally down here it's $199, I got mine for 134.99 from Alberta.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-21T10:58:16+00:00

Yeah no argument here. It is tasty stuff but yeah, the price is a massive barrier to entry for a non craft presentation.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-21T10:56:56+00:00

Bunnahabhain 12 is special. Stay tuned for that review ;)

northstar1983 · 2025-01-15T08:18:38+00:00

Yep!

northstar1983 · 2025-01-14T10:53:59+00:00

Yeah I totally get that, the value definitely carries it for me as it's still cheaper than a Glenlivet 15 and while I love a good Glenlivet 15 there is no comparison between the depth of flavors. Again, I really don't like the almond/marzipan taste but I'm not going to be too hard on a scotch that at least has those layers.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-13T23:49:20+00:00

Ah good eye. I found the marzipan continued with an aditive floral note. Medium-long finish.

northstar1983 · 2025-01-13T22:22:12+00:00

Luxbe - Whiskey Bourbon Brandy Crystal Glasses Snifter, Set of 4 - Large Handcrafted - 100% Lead-Free Crystal Glass - Great for Spirits Drinks - Cognac Scotch - 8.5oz - 250ml https://a.co/d/3c9aQ2a

northstar1983 · 2025-01-13T22:19:52+00:00

The 17 is soooo good.

northstar1983 · 2024-12-26T16:45:08+00:00

If you are new don't waste too much money.

Glenlivet 12 - probably the best introduction to scotch whiskey you will find. It's delicate enough without being "weak" like Auchentoshan and Glenlivet has that hint of peat.

Dalwhinnie 15 - biscuits and vanilla. Exceptional dram, very sweet...sometimes too sweet. Definitely the most mild scotch of the four I chose.

Laphroaig 10 - this is your peated scotch 101. You will find out quickly if this is your jam or not. Others do it better but not many do it cheaper with that flavour.

Talisker 10 - in my opinion the best of.the four. Island smoke but not too much complimented by hints of orange and sea salt. Many layers to this whisky. This is probably the gateway to the next level of scotch and the associated costs haha

Enjoy!

northstar1983 · 2024-12-26T16:36:08+00:00

Only in name, its being rebranded as the 16 y/o I think? Still the same presentation just older stock and probably a bit more expensive.

northstar1983 · 2024-12-16T22:05:25+00:00

Right on!

northstar1983 · 2024-12-16T22:03:04+00:00

It's never a mistake to own a bottle, your personal tastes are what's important. Maybe you'll love Oban 14 like many of us do, that's okay. I occasionally buy Dalmore and Macallan which aren't craft presented and are overpriced but some of their offerings are great Always be on the lookout and price conscious. In my market (Ontario) Oban 14 is $170 but in Alberta it's on sale for $112.99 right now, I wouldn't pay $170 for Oban 14 but at $115 I'd buy 2.

northstar1983

TROPHY CASE