Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #10 Nose: Bready, yeasty and a little like new-make. Floral honey, but muted and with a curiously herbal quality (fennel, sage) that is not entirely successful. Some biscuity cereal notes and a little maritime brine. Palate: A gristy, cereal arrival with some brine and hot pepper. The palate relaxes a little as it progresses with sweet flavours giving balance (nuts, orange oil, vanilla) and there is a dash of peat smoke and oak tannin, but it all seems curiously young and tense. The texture is a bit brittle. Finish: Medium. Hot and peppery with some berries and citrus showing through. The person on the Signatory stall who was pouring the drams assured me that this “secret” Orcadian malt was from Highland Park, but if so then it’s not a good example of that distillery’s ability. There are hints of Highland Park to it but despite its 13 year age statement this seemed extremely young, thin and argumentative. The hogsheads in which this was matured were refill and I could easily believe they were on their 3rd or even 4th fill, and I bet they were very tight too, as they seem to have contributed little to the spirit and almost actively opposed maturation. I would not recommend this, particularly at the asking price. “Average” : 79/100 (2.75 stars)