North Star Orkney 12 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A tiny run of 300 bottles sourced from a 'mystery' Orkney distillery, and drawn from a refill Bourbon barrel. Very limited stocks.

Tasting note: [15ml sample] Pale straw gold. Amazingly pure with delicate fruitiness and light coastal character on the nose. The grassy / sea breeze freshness follows on the palate which is concentrated but deftly balanced. Youthful yet succulent, with a sultry, fruity, coastal finish that's sheer bliss. A style you rarely encounter: Arguably, more like Scapa than HP, or even Old Pulteney at its very best. Non chill filtered. 55.5% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... this one also hails from that infamous illicit Orkney still at Mrs Cameron’s house...? Colour: white wine. Nose: lots of chalk, bandages, pebbles and lime. Something slightly funky and earthy underneath as well. Continues with distant peat smoke, ink, crushed sea shells and plenty of freshly milled grist plunging into a mash tun full of seawater. Superbly fresh and characterful stuff! With water: develops this rather fresh linen and fabric side. Beach sand, bath salts, mineral oil and putty. Mouth: slightly tart, bitter herbs, quinine, lemon barley water, sea salt, very light antiseptic notes and things like beach pebbles and crushed aspirin. More raw barley and some heather and hessian notes. Some crab meat, light medical notes and soft waxiness. With water: again gets drier, more fragrant, more towards linens, oils, light herbal notes, citrus fruit peels with slightly bitter pith notes and more mineral aspects. Finish: long, herbal, medical, lemony, sooty and getting increasingly mineral. Comments: Some of these stocks are just superb! These casks at 15-20 years old will be totally thrilling I think. I hope someone is saving a few... 89 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com