Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 01:19 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Balvenie 21 vs Glenmorangie Signet in this in-depth comparison and decide which Single Malt is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Balvenie 21 vs Glenmorangie Signet: Comparison
Balvenie Portwood 21: Offers a fruity nose with fig, plum, and peach, leading to a palate of honey, dried fruit, and nuts, and a complex finish of burnt caramel, ginger, and chocolate. Exceptionally smooth and balanced.
Glenmorangie Signet: Captivates with aromas of cinnamon, orange zest, and dried fruit, followed by a palate of espresso, dark chocolate, and vanilla, with a long finish of tobacco and baking spice. A unique and luxurious experience.
Verdict: Both Balvenie Portwood 21 and Glenmorangie Signet stand out for their exceptional quality and unique flavor profiles. Balvenie Portwood 21 impresses with its sherried whisky characteristics and complexity, making it an excellent choice for traditionalists. Glenmorangie Signet, with its innovative use of chocolate malt and a blend of aged whiskies, offers a more avant-garde whisky experience, marked by its rich coffee and chocolate notes, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Each whisky provides a distinct and memorable experience, catering to different palates and occasions.
Related: Best Scotch Whiskies
Balvenie 21: A Fruity & Complex Speyside Single Malt
- Nose: Fig, plum, peach, black tea
- Palate: Honey, dried, fruit, almond, pecan
- Finish: Burnt caramel, ginger, chocolate
- Alcohol content: 95 proof (47.6% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Blue Label
The Balvenie 21 Year Old is a Speyside single malt whisky that offers a delightful sipping experience, rich with fruity notes and a touch of complexity. Here’s why it might be worth exploring:
Fruity Invitation: The aroma entices with a bouquet of ripe figs, plums, and peaches, complemented by a subtle hint of black tea, creating a welcoming introduction.
Smooth & Warming: The first sip delivers a luxurious, oily mouthfeel that warms the palate gently. The taste is smooth and honeyed, carrying notes of dried fruits like raisins and almonds, with a hint of pecan nuttiness.
Long-Lasting Finish: The finish is satisfyingly long, leaving behind lingering flavors of burnt caramel, ginger, and a touch of dark chocolate bitterness, all without any harsh burning sensation.
Aqueous Adventure: Adding a dash of water unlocks a surprising new dimension. Floral notes and oak emerge, adding unexpected depth to the flavor profile.
Sweet & Complex: The Balvenie 21 strikes a delightful balance between sweetness and complexity. The influence of port pipes, used for finishing the whisky, adds a unique touch.
Perfect Pairing: This 21-year-old whisky is a great choice for sipping neat, especially if you enjoy a cigar alongside your dram.
Award-Winning: Balvenie 21 has received accolades from prestigious competitions, including Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2009 and 2012.
Facts & Distinction:
- Aged in bourbon barrels before being finished in seasoned port pipes for an additional period.
- The Balvenie Distillery sets itself apart by growing and malting its own barley on-site, a rarity in Scotland.
- Balvenie is owned by William Grant & Sons, the same company that owns Glenfiddich.
Glenmorangie Signet: A Luxurious Single Malt for Savoring
- Nose: Cinnamon, orange zest, dried fruit
- Palate: Espresso coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, orange
- Finish: Long, tobacco, almond, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Macallan 18 Sherry Oak
Glenmorangie Signet offers a truly luxurious single malt whisky experience, perfect for special occasions. Here’s a closer look:
Aromatic Allure: The aroma of Signet is truly captivating. Imagine the inviting scent of a fruitcake, bursting with cinnamon, dried fruits like dates and raisins, a hint of orange zest, creating an exceptional fragrance.
Silky Smoothness: The first sip reveals a smooth, oily texture that coats the palate pleasantly. Warm notes of espresso coffee and dark chocolate emerge, intertwined with hints of vanilla and orange peel, creating a rich and inviting flavor profile.
Lingering Warmth: The finish is long and comforting, leaving behind a lingering warmth and notes of tobacco, almond, and baking spices.
Balancing Act: Signet achieves a remarkable balance between flavors. The coffee and chocolate bitterness is perfectly complemented by the sweetness of vanilla and caramel, resulting in a truly sophisticated taste experience.
Investment Worthy: Given its special qualities, Glenmorangie Signet is best enjoyed neat, allowing you to fully appreciate its complexity. While it might be a higher investment than some whiskies, the luxurious taste profile makes it a worthy choice for those seeking a truly exceptional dram.
Facts & Uniqueness:
- Signet is crafted using a unique blend of malted barley, including single estate Cadboll barley and roasted chocolate malt, a type commonly used in craft beers.
- There’s no age statement for Signet, but it’s confirmed to include whiskies aged 30 to 40 years.
- The whisky matures in virgin oak casks, and it’s non-chill-filtered for a richer taste.
- Glenmorangie, the distillery behind Signet, is owned by the LVMH group, known for luxury brands like Moët Hennessy and Louis Vuitton.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Balvenie 21 PortWood | $300 |
| Glenmorangie Signet | $280 |