An Orkney Distillery 2004

An Orkney Distillery 2004, 16 YO, 59.1 %

This is the Inaugural Release from new independent bottler Watt Whisky. This is of course the company of Kate and Mark Watt.

This whisky has been matured in two hogsheads and then married together in a brandy butt. The total outturn was 290 bottles, The distillery is undisclosed in this case, thus the “An Orkney Distillery”. However, as we only have Highland Park and Scapa as working distilleries on Orkney, and Scapa in wholly unpeated, it is fairly easy to guess the origins here. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a Highland Park.

Nose: Dusty grapes. Vanilla and a mild oakiness. Hints of bicycle tire repair kit. Gradually more fruity and more laid back. Hints of smoke.

Taste:  Full bodied and rich. Vanilla ice cream with juicy strawberries and rich caramel sauce. Honey and nuts. White pepper. Hints of ashes and cold wood smoke.

Finish: Medium long finish. Sweet and juicy still. Rich honey. Mouthwatering. In the background darker notes - whiffs of smoke and coal.

Comment: A very comfortable companion.

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas