Master of Malt recently teamed up with Berry Bros. & Rudd to bottle an undisclosed Orkney 1999 single malt. It comes from a series of casks that were bottled for different shops and whisky clubs around Europe.
We all know where this is coming from of course so we have high hopes.
Orkney 1999 (52,6%, Berry Bros. & Rudd for Master of Malt 2021, refill hogshead #35, 204 btl.)
Nose: a classic Highland Park nose, all on chalk, lemon juice and lemon candy, light heather smoke and unripe peach. Some mint leaves and a hint of vanilla. Then a subtle sea breeze sets in, with fresh meadow flowers. Subtle hints of ink and wax in the background. Not the most intense expression but the profile is spot on.
Mouth: sweeter now – think icing sugar and a little limoncello. Quite a big, oily and chalky mouthfeel. Grapefruits and honey, as well as ginger cookies. Subtle earthy peat in the distance. Then some white pepper, floral notes and a hint of plain oak. Smoked fish and waxy notes towards the end.
Finish: fairly long, on ashes, vanilla and citrus notes with a grassy / peppery edge.
Naked Highland Park rarely disappoints at this age. So definitely no flaws here, although I expected a little more complexity. Overall good whisky… as expected from these two reliable parties, I’d add. Only available from Master of Malt.