Cask Orkney 18 Year Old (A.D. Rattray) Whisky

Recently purchased this, has a lovely nose, rich and buttery on the palate, with a nutty finish! Can’t fault it, would recommend it, very easy to drink.

No.

This is what you get with H.P minus the caramel, heavy cask influence, and stupid marketing - and it's not a lot.

For an 18 y/o it is awful, even a blend would deliver more. Yes, there is a lot of very subtle, careful, light whisky here... Maybe you like delicate etherial whiskies, but that's not what I'm looking for.

Highland Park at a steep discount and improved quality (higher volume, no chill-filtration, no fake colour, no silly LARPer branding) - what more could one ask for? There are some things to be aware of however, unlike official bottlings, this relatively unblended production can be a little 'rough', but it's nothing that doesn't clear up with a little water and time. What initially appears aggressively cask-driven and spirit-heavy opens up into a miracle of fresh fruit flavours with the light peated backing receding the more patient you are with it.