Too many undisclosed Orkney single malts to choose from these days. Here’s a 2000 vintage bottled by Le Gus’t in France from a single hogshead.
Secret Orkney 18 yo 2000 (53,1%, Le Gus’t 2019, hogshead #21, 356 btl.)
Nose: damp leaves, heather and chalk. Beach sand, salty touches and floral top notes, lilies perhaps. Hints of sour berries and mirabelles in second row. Bay leaves. Lanolin as well. A good mix of austerity and roundness.
Mouth: a little peaty sharpness and lemon zest at first, then hints of peaches and oranges. Mineral notes, gentian, a touch of brine and sweet mustard. A nice waxy / oily touch with hints of almonds. Floral honey and white pepper.
Finish: long, with a subtle herbal / bitter side, coastal notes and heathery peat.
Nice Highland Park, muscular and austere but always balanced by sweeter fruits and floral honey. All of these are high quality. Still available from Cave Conseil.