Review by: Raygun
A (wink, wink) unnamed Orkney from Jack Wiebers Whisky World, a German importer and bottler. I’m not sure what the pirate connection is, but it seems to be a series they’ve done. This particular one was bottled for Whisky Fair Nürnberg in 2019. Initially tasted blind, with additional notes after the reveal in italics. Thanks to Whiskery Turnip for the sample. Rested about 15 minutes.
Distillery: Unnamed Orkney (Highland Park)
Bottler: Jack Wiebers Whisky World
Region/style: Islands single malt whisky
ABV: 59.5%
Age: Nine years. Bottled in 2019.
Cask type: Unknown #108, 87 bottles
Color: 0.8 deep gold. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Smells like a bourbon cask Scotch. The caramel and toasty kind of notes suggest some age or an aggressive cask. Graham crackers, cinnamon toast. Some tomato paste. Does smell quite oaky.
Palate: Got some heat. Caramel and toast are again the main flavors. There’s some interesting spice going on and a bit of tartness like tamarind paste. Dates and something else fruity I can’t get a handle on. Maybe not the straight bourbon cask that I initially thought. Even after knowing what it is, I’m still getting some sherry-like flavors: dates, tamarind, for instance. Also some orange and mint. Tastes somewhat young.
Finish: Hot and pretty drying. Significant oak influence, but not the flavors that come with long aging. Fruit is a little clearer, and now I’m suspecting some sherry influence. Some Indian spice. A floral aspect comes out. It is oaky, but now I’m putting that down to a strong first-fill cask. Still a little harsh even with water.
Guess: Thought it was Scotch initially, but then began wondering if it could be Amrut. The heat would make sense, and the oak without tasting that old. Or maybe just a hot Scotch. Not a single cask, I don’t think; tastes more like a vatting with some sherry in the blend. Could be refill sherry, too. Close to 60% I think. That’s about all I’ve got.
Post-reveal thoughts: Got the ABV right. Not too much else. Turned out to be a young and hot Scotch. It is a single cask, and probably a bourbon barrel or hogshead though I can’t find anything specific. Not particularly shocking me that I didn’t pick up on the peat; I almost never do with Highland Park.
Conclusion: Definitely runs hot and oaky for something this young. Hard to get it under control even with water, though I can find some nice flavors in it once I can get past the heat. There’s potential here, but not fully realized. Would have improved with some more time, I believe.
Score: 76
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
- 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
- 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)
Malt Runners 