Signatory Vintage

Andrew Symington founded Signatory Vintage in Edinburgh in 1988, previously having managed the Prestonfield House Hotel. His first bottling was a 1968 Glenlivet — a 20-year-old single cask that sold out rapidly, establishing Signatory's reputation for quality and provenance in a then-nascent independent bottling scene.

Through the 1990s, Signatory grew into one of Scotland's most prolific independent bottlers, releasing casks from across the entire spectrum of Scotch whisky production: Speyside, Highland, Islay, Campbeltown, and Lowland. The catalogue expanded to include grain whiskies and blended malts alongside the more familiar single malt releases.

In 2002, the opportunity arose to acquire Edradour Distillery — one of Scotland's smallest and most characterful working distilleries — from Pernod Ricard, who had assembled it along with a portfolio of other properties. Symington purchased it for £5.4 million, combining the authenticity of a small working distillery with Signatory's existing bottling operation. By 2007, all Signatory operations had relocated from Edinburgh to the Edradour site in Pitlochry, making it the physical and commercial centre of the business.

Edradour single malts are produced and marketed under the Edradour brand separately from the Signatory Vintage independent bottling range.

As an independent bottler, Signatory does not produce new make spirit under the Signatory brand — all releases are mature spirit purchased as casks from distilleries. The selection criteria emphasise exceptional individual casks rather than consistent blending. At Edradour, Signatory does distil under the Edradour brand, producing a small quantity of Perthshire single malt.

The Signatory ranges are defined by their approach to finishing:

• Cask Strength Collection: Bottled at natural cask ABV, typically above 55%
• Un-Chillfiltered Collection: Bottled at 46% ABV without chill-filtration
• 86 Proof Collection: 43% ABV accessible releases
• Rare Reserve: The oldest and most exceptional casks, up to 35+ years old

All releases are single cask, single distillery, and non-coloured.

Because every Signatory release is drawn from a unique cask, there is no house style. The Cask Strength Collection amplifies the individual distillery's character to its fullest natural expression; the Un-Chillfiltered Collection preserves all natural congeners at a more approachable strength. Older releases in the Rare Reserve range tend toward dried fruit, leather, and spice from decades in wood, while younger releases emphasise fresh fruit, malt, and spirit vitality. Whisky enthusiasts prize Signatory's Islay releases for their phenolic intensity at cask strength, and their Speyside releases for the contrast between fresh and sherried cask expressions.

The Signatory visitor experience is centred at Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry, Perthshire — one of Scotland's smallest and most picturesque working distilleries. The site combines Edradour distillery tours with access to the Signatory warehouse and bottling operation, providing a unique dual perspective on small-batch production and independent bottling. A physical shop on site stocks both Edradour and Signatory releases. Online shop available at signatoryvintage.com.