Review #652 - Signatory Vintage Miltonduff 9 Year - US 100 Proof Edition #4

Written By Me, My Wife & Whisky

Another Speyside distillery that is almost impossible to find in official bottling form: this is Miltonduff, located near Elgin. This malt is generally used in the Ballantine's blend; it's a relatively large operation with a capacity just under 6 million litres per annum, and it's undergoing a large expansion that will see an additional 10 million litres per annum added to the capacity. That would make it the third or fourth largest malt distillery in Scotland.

We do have the chance to try this whisky from independent bottlers, especially Signatory Vintage - here's an example from their US 100 Proof range, a 9 year old bottled at a strength of 50% ABV. The maturation was done in first fill ex-bourbon barrels, and that elevated strength means we should get to see some of that distillate character.

Signatory Vintage Miltonduff 9 Year - US 100 Proof Edition #4

Scotland/Speyside - Single Malt

Price: USD 84 (2025)

Age Statement: 9 Years

Strength: 50% ABV

Cask Makeup: First fill ex-bourbon barrels

Details: Not chill filtered, no color added; distilled 2015, bottled 2024

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 1 time; bottle at 40% fill level at time of review. Tasted in a nosing glass, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Apple skins, grainy sugar, buttered pasty, orchard fruits - lots of light, sweet flavors. It's quite a pretty nose, and we get some honey and pear, as well as powdered sugar; hints of salt and graham crackers build.

Palate: The mouthfeel has a medium thickness; white pepper and oak add a spice up front, but soon it's yellow apple, honey, and soft malt, which add a sweeter side. Light floral flavors and some wood polish add another layer.

Finish: Vanilla, freshly baked bread - decent baking notes. Sweet apples, both yellow and green apples, add a fruity side, and we get some lemon-lime soda as well; it's a medium length finish.

Final Note: We really enjoyed this example of Miltonduff - just a classic ex-bourbon Speyside malt with a combination of baking notes and orchard fruit flavors. The strength is high enough to convey a decent mouthfeel and a finish of sufficient length, but this single malt isn't quite complex or punchy enough to dazzle the palate... just a really solid, enjoyable, moreish sipping whisky.

Value is decent, a little bit above average. This 100 Proof range from Signatory doesn't present quite the same value here in the US as it does in Europe, as it's both lower strength and more expensive, but they're still high quality bottles that are a great addition to the shelf.

Our Average Rating: 7.0 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.39

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.

Me, My Wife & Whisky
Next

Review #651 - Signatory Vintage Glentauchers 12 Year - US 100 Proof Edition #3