Introduction
I’ve always had a soft spot for whiskies from Orkney. They’re not usually loud or attention-seeking, but they have a quiet complexity that keeps me coming back. This 16-year-old bottling from 2005, produced by Decadent Drinks, caught my eye not only because of its age but also because its label discreetly hints at a refill barrel maturation—a detail I find often allows the spirit’s natural character to take centre stage. No heavy-handed cask influence, just well-timed aging and honest craftsmanship. That felt like a good reason to give it a proper tasting.
Nose
The nose opened with a soft salinity—subtle, but definitely there—almost like sea breeze on a quiet pier. Behind that came orchard fruit, mostly green apples and under-ripe pears. There’s also a dry, chalky minerality to it, mixed with a faint cereal note that reminded me of barley husks. A gentle thread of peat lingers in the background: not the medicinal kind, just quiet wood smoke. After letting it sit for a while in the glass, I got a delicate floral edge—maybe thistle or heather—adding a local touch that drew me in.
Palate
On the palate, the whisky is quite clean and precise. The fruit from the nose carries through but ripens up—baked apple and hints of yellow plum now. There’s a malty backbone, giving it a grounded, grain-forward profile. The peat is mild—well-integrated—and shows up more as a dry, ashy smoke than anything phenolic. I liked that balance, especially because it didn’t try too hard to be smoky. It’s layered but not overwhelming. The texture is medium-bodied, not oily but not thin either, with a slight tingle suggestive of a mid-50s ABV. Water softened it a bit but also made it slightly flatter, so I preferred it neat.
Finish
The finish is clean and fairly long—mostly highlighting that dry coastal smoke and malt. A touch of bitterness creeps in at the back, like walnut skins or apple seeds, but nothing unpleasant. There’s also a faint chalkiness again, tying back to something I noticed on the nose. Over a few sips, it revealed more elegant touches—dried grass and a whisper of honey toward the very end. It leaves you with a subtle memory rather than a big flavour burst, but I appreciated that restraint.
Price and Value
This bottle sits comfortably in the range of an independent 16-year-old single malt—priced fairly, I’d say, for the quality and integrity you get. No artificial colour, no chill-filtration, and nothing that feels manipulated. It's the kind of whisky that doesn’t make a grand statement but earns your respect the more time you spend with it. Compared to other Orkney or Island offerings of similar age, it feels straightforward, in a good way.
Background
Distilled in 2005 and bottled in 2022, this Orkney single malt is most likely from the Highland Park distillery, although it doesn’t say so explicitly. It comes from a single refill barrel—often a sign that the bottler wanted to preserve the natural profile of the spirit rather than push a finish or dominate it with sherry or wine casks. It's been selected and released by Decadent Drinks, a brand associated with Whisky Sponge, which often produces well-regarded outturns with a sense of humour and quality.
This isn't a whisky trying to coat your palate with intense richness. It’s more about structure and gentle evolution—reflecting that steadier Orkney style of mild peat, herbal and coastal elements, and soft mineral edges. Maturation in a refill barrel almost always suits this kind of spirit.
Final Notes
Would I pick up another bottle of this? Yes—especially for those quieter evenings where I want something that offers complexity without dominating the conversation. If you’re just getting into peated whisky, this one could be a gentle introduction. The peat is definitely there, but it’s layered in subtly without taking over.
As for when to drink it, I found it ideal as a late evening pour after a meal—particularly with a bit of salty cheese or cured meat on the side. In terms of regional comparison, it stands apart from sharper coastal malts like Talisker or Ledaig. This Orkney dram is far more restrained and refined—less about power, more about finesse.