Single Malt Scotch Whisky 50-year-old SV Old School Single Malt - Coastal Edition

Definitely worth it.

Nose: Watermelon-flavored gummy bears. Marjoram. Tiramisu. A very light smokiness. Mild apple juice. In the background, tart wild raspberries and black pudding. Reminiscent of the recently released Ben Bracken Islay 30, although the smoke is only hinted at. Instead, it has a musky note, which makes it seem "very old." Even blindfolded, I would have guessed its age to be somewhere between 35 and 50. It already smells good. Composed, elegant, and harmonious. Palate: Robust and tingling, not too thin. Old leather couch and tart berries. Tiramisu again. Mustard greens instead of marjoram. Light smoke and musk. Also in taste, 40+ years old. Finish: Rather short with sour berries, black pudding and, admittedly, rotten wood.

Leather, a touch of fruit, slightly maritime, old oak notes, and a certain bitterness... simply underdeveloped. That's basically all the whisky offers. It's also quite diluted, yet still effervescent with a short finish. For me, this is probably the biggest disappointment I've ever had in a glass. The price is in no way justified, and I wonder where the 50 years are supposed to be. I cannot understand the praise at all. (Two chances with a certain amount of time were given)

This is batch no. 3 of the Old School series, which contains only one distillery, unlike the excellent batch no. 1, which contains a blend of several dozen distillates aged for over thirty years from distilleries, some of which have now ceased to exist. My personal experience has confirmed that older whiskies (30+) cannot be recommended to novice or impatient whisky drinkers, as they do not yet know how to properly taste this category and often do not appreciate it. They find them boring and bland. However, such whiskies need time and peace. Both to enjoy and to open. This particular piece is aged for at least 50 years and after pouring into a glass it is closed and even boring for the first tens (!) minutes. A noticeable difference in depth and the appearance of new notes will become apparent between the 30th and 60th minute in the glass! So don't rush. We can chew/roll our own sip in our mouth for minutes and minutes and new tones and undertones keep appearing. This whisky scores mainly with depth and lots of subtle layers. No dominant signal completely covers the others and it is incredible how widely rich a single malt from one distillery can be (if that is the case). It is very smooth, lovers of smoky monsters and aggressive young spirits should avoid it, you will not understand each other :) Compared to the fruity character of batch 1, there is also a minerality, a slight saltiness, it creates a feeling of bubbling liquid in the mouth and remains present even after swallowing. This does not mean bitterness, oak dryness, it is very suppressed. This practically excludes the presence of a distillate from the Speyside and Lowland areas. Old school style elements are present such as lacquered furniture, leather, the mustiness of a cave against the background of a sweet fruit compote.

We NEVER expected this. 50 years in an oloroso cask and then so light, fresh, and fruity!?!? Everyone has drunk a sherry-aged Bunnah at some point, so you have certain expectations. Now, this is my first Bunnah at this age, so I have no reference material, but even so.

Review by Ruben: https://www.whiskynotes.be/2026/undisclosed/old-school-single-malt-50-years-signatory-vintage/

Salty, light sherry, candied fruits, chocolate, old wood. It’s quite good, much better than the “tropical fruits edition” which is over-oaked. This isn’t. But it is a touch delicate and simple. 89 - 90.

A nose of nail polish and glue, and a strong taste of formic acid, the defensive chemical produced by ants. Very unpleasant, gave the sample away. I'd guess there is a very good reason this cask sat unbottled for 50yrs, and then no distillery would want their name on it.

Blog online on 26 March 2026 on my website ! Conclusion: "Rich whisky inside a narrow spectrum, but it all works without ever being over the top. Beautifully austere, without being boring, and very reminiscent of early versions of more or less the same vintage. This giant does not run anymore, that is true, but the stride is confident. This is whisky to play with for hours."

Quite tasty, almost easy drinking, but for me it lacks that special something. I couldn't detect its advanced age. While tasting it, I wondered if Signatory also subjects such whiskies to re-racking or finishing without explicitly mentioning it.

The aroma is excellent, but the scent is a bit weak.

Plays like a single orchestra. Soft, gentle. Not too complex. No sharp edges.

A very palatable and rounded dram: Nose - sweet nuts by the sea Taste - salted with leather notes slightly brined however not overwhelmed Finish - medium , the saltiness fades and the nuttiness and candied fruits remains The age has definitely taken any sharpness out of, would definitely recommend trying this one if you can.

It definitely has a classic flavor profile; the taste is simple, balanced, and elegant, reminiscent of Bunnahabhain bottled before 2010.

Very pleasant and enjoyable. Lots of old notes of varnish and glue. It’s not very complex, and it’s a little soft but it’s tasty.

aroma: heavy, dense, sherry, vanilla taste: rougher, wood, chocolate, sherry, vanilla It's supposedly Bunna, but the sherry killed the spirit, but for me it's pleasantly sweet

Thank you Gods of Whisky and Gods of the Taste Buds. This is some good stuff! A complex and well-layered dram, withhhh balancing fresh eucalyptus and pine influences, over wood polish / varnish, leather, rum soakes raisins and honey roasted nuts. Cocos - yes. Nettle - yes. Marzipan - yes. Woody depth alongside herbs, mint, dark chocolate and a subtle briny, slightly rancio character. It finishes beautifully with resin, tobacco, gentle spice and a touch of salt. What a whisky! Oh My God!

I just don't understand why they had to use such an cheap American oak oloroso seasoned cask and introduce this awful vanilla taste which masks the some of the excellent original flavors form 50 years of aging and ruin the otherwise superb whisky, which could have been easily 92 points.