A.D. Rattray Cask Orkney 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A mystery Orkney. Could it be Scapa? The tasting notes from the bottlers describe a peppery-smokey character, so probably not. One reviewer sums it up as "...a great summer whisky. Lovely honied malty waxy notes; a good ex-bourbon maturation." Sounds like a young Highland Park with just a whisper of peat. At this price and ABV, grabbing a bottle won't be much of a gamble. 46% Alc./Vol. Non-chill filtered.

Other reviews... Nose: A freshness opens the dram, before vanilla, coconut, lemon peel, and some red berries ­— think raspberries. Palate: That freshness continues alongside cream soda, orange and lemon peel, some apple skin, blossom honey, brioche, and just a hint of sweet spice like ginger powder. Finish: Decent length on the finish here without too much tannin. Comment: Sweet and mellow with lots of sweet bourbon-cask character. - whiskymag.com

Notes from the bottlers... Colour: Butterscotch gold. Nose: Clover honey, Parma violet, ripe peach and wild heather embers. Palate: Grilled plum, old-fashioned barley sugar, noble hop and caraway.  Finish: A prolonged peppery smoke lifted by tart citrus and foraged pine.