Old Orkney 2004 DeDr

Unusual HP, very dirty, not overlaid by heather and honey notes I like it - but it's not a revelation

Aroma: slightly peaty, sweet, vanilla, really nice but subtle requiring a lot of smelling, fruits after 15 minutes Palate: oily, slightly smoky, herbal, leather, peaty after some time Finish: long, peaty, sweet, herbal

Sampled at a Sponge tasting - IB Highland Park is often decent if not good, this is slightly more on the dirty and sulphuric side that hides the heather peat I like about HP. Need time to open up. Fruits come through a lot more apparently when paired with savoury snacks. Doesn’t feel as aged but nonetheless a quaffable Highland Park.

Nose: citrus fruits, yeasty, limestone, minerallity, reminds my of old highland park, Mouth: oily, juicy, sweet fruit into ashy earthy peat, strawberry juice, minerality, light sea breeze Finish: mid, sweet fruits and light charcoal 88 this is a very standard old school Orkney to me, the earthy peat is there and vibrant!

Unusually 'dirty' Highland Park.

If you remember Springbanks distilled in the late '90s... well, this bottle is somewhat similar - a blend of older Springbanks and Highland Parks. It doesn't possess the Springbank funk, but it does feature Orkney peat. Decadent Drinks is known for its pricier bottles, yet this one seems to have flown under the radar by many. £145 or €189 in the EU for a 19-year-old Highland Park, single hogshead, slightly diluted to 53%. If you prefer smooth, balanced and gentle whiskies, this bottle might not be your cup of tea... But if you prefer those dirty, dark, wild, character, rich, oily complex whiskies made the way they used to be made - this is spot on. We highly recommend it. Nose thick and oily, robust, grapefruit, vanilla pudding, honey, caramel, seaspray, crab meat, dirt, nutty, toasted oak, orange flower Palette the arrival is surprisingly tame, which is unexpected considering the nose. It slowly develops and reaches the expectations set by the nose. There are a lot of baking spices, vanilla, caramel, creamy, oily, viscous, light peat and minerality with a coco butter, bitter almonds finale. Finish light peat, mineral notes, coco powder, bitter almonds Our favorite bottle in 2023. Score: 9/10

Nose: Cream, fudge, oil, smoke very feint but grows with time in the glass, slight citrus, floral Taste: medium body, very well integrated alcohol, slightly funky, touch resinous. Finish is long, evolving towards drying oak. This needs little if any water. Rich in flavour, alcohol incredibly well hidden. Perhaps could be a little livelier but that may be asking too much of a 10 y o

Water is probably mandatory here…it really helped the malt get past its bad mood. Ended up a good whisky once the bottle was left at shoulder height for a number of weeks and then adding a drop or 3 of water.

Orkney tends to produce drams that I'm normally underwhelmed by, but this is gorgeous - a dram to share with close family or just yourself as a treat. If you can afford it and like a proper whisky, this is well worth a look at.

There is a big difference between smelling and tasting. I prefer the state after adding water. The bottle may not be in perfect condition just after opening, and needs further test.

Highland Park at its best. Honey and port at nose. Sweet apricots and comb honey at palate. The aftertaste is just a bit bitter.

Needs time in the glass to express it's full potential Initially was disappointed with nose, but when i came back to it after half an hour... UaU :) If I only get a bottle when I had a chance

This Old Orkney's dirtier side took me by surprise.

Reminds me of HP 21y OB released in 2019. Lots of sulfur and some fruits, also flowers. Not for me.