This unnamed single malt distilled on Orkney in 2005 was selected from the Signatory Vintage stocks and bottled for a series of whisky shops in Flanders, Belgium.
Orkney 13 yo 2005
(56,2%, Signatory Vintage Un-Chillfiltered for Flanders’ Finest Cask Selection 2018, hogshead DRU17/A63 + 65, 342 btl.)
Nose: excellent balance. There’s a sweet side to it (sweet honey and citrus candy, sugared almonds) but also a nice seaside freshness. Fresh herbs and heather. Vanilla. Apricot skins. An almost medicinal touch of tiger balm. Crushed peppercorns.
Mouth: beautiful sooty notes, lots of herbs and mineral notes. Citrus green tea. Pepper again. Some waxy and leathery notes. Lovely hints of pink grapefruit and passion fruit in the middle. Just a touch of lychee. Ginger and hints of salt in the end.
Finish: long, smoky and waxy. A little liquorice and honey.
Quite a stellar bottling, this Highland Park. Complex and balanced nose, great fruity notes and smoke on the palate. Great spirit getting centre stage. Around € 80, still available from TastToe.
ps/ I’ve just bought this sister bottling at 46% (distilled on the same day), I hope to check soon whether it’s on the same level.
Score: 90/100