Scottish Leader Signature Whisky

Time for a blended whisky again. This week I try the new Scottish Leader Signature blended Scotch whisky. Interestingly, South Africa, second only to Taiwan, is the most popular market for Scottish Leader whisky.

The brand is owned by Burn Stewart Distillers, which is part of the Distell Group Limited. The story of the Scottish Leader blend begins near the village of Doune in Perthshire, Scotland. On the banks of the River Teith is the Deanston Distillery, home to the Scottish Leader.

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Here the Scottish Leader’s secret recipe was created by Master Blenders, the Ross Brothers, in the late 19th century. Once a cotton mill, the Ross Brothers quickly realised that the site had ideal features to distil whisky; fresh Scottish air, a supply of crystal clear water and ample storage facilities to mature the whisky.

Distell relaunched the brand in 2014. The update gives it a new look and packaging. The brand team replaced the old logo of a deer with a soaring eagle. They also released the new Scottish Leader Signature expression to complement the existing Scottish Leader Original whisky.

Scottish Leader Signature Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: A dark copper colour.  There are beautiful hits of red specs in the whisky. It is not a very oily whisky.

NOSE: Immediately brings sherry sweetness with fruit cake and raisins. There are notes of toffee, honey and bits of smoke. The Signature has quite a sweet nose. In the background, malts and green grass flirting around.

PALATE: Rich, smooth and spicier than expected. I was expecting quite a sweet palate after the sweet nose, but there were notes of oak, smoke, and cloves. Bits of citrus peel floating in the background. Adding some water allowed more oak to come out and made this Scottish Leader Signature whisky very smooth. 

FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of spicy oak and citrus. It is a medium-bodied blended whisky. A great combination of sweetness, smoke and spice.

RATING: EXCELLENT

The Signature release is an easy-drinking, smooth, affordable whisky to have in your cupboard. Not very complicated; however, at the price point, it is well worth it. It retails for around R 230 in South Africa.

I paired this Scottish Leader Signature whisky with a Brebirousse d’Argental cheese. WOW, what a great whisky cheese pairing.

Other releases from this brand include the Scottish Leader 12 yo and Scottish Leader Supreme whisky. There is even a Sherry Cask finish whisky.