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Хересно-бурбонный Highland Park под секретной маркой: солёный, слегка дымный, с сухофруктами, пряностями и явной хересностью. Опытные держатся около 85–86, остальные чуть щедрее (86–88); главное расхождение — из-за серного тона в отдельных образцах и жёсткой горчинки в конце.
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В аромате — вереск, апельсин, сухофрукты (изюм, курага, вишня), мёд и карамель поверх ореховой хересной основы, лёгкий дровяной или зерновой дым и морская солёность; часть образцов раскрывается медленно и заметно выигрывает от воды. Во вкусе виски выражённо пряный (чёрный перец, имбирь, мускат, чили), с сухим олоросным характером, тёмным шоколадом и какао, орехами, вишней и кожей; послевкусие средней длины, согревающее, с золой, дымом и горчинкой. Хвалят баланс, солёность, узнаваемый профиль Highland Park и исключительное соотношение цена/качество для 14-летнего виски крепости 57,1% без охлаждённой фильтрации; критикуют молодоватость и спиртовую резкость без воды, а также чрезмерную сухость и горечь (зелёный грецкий орех) в конце.
Опытные ревьюеры оценивают сдержаннее и стабильнее — в основном 84–86, отмечая крепкий, но не выдающийся напиток, где происхождение с Оркни угадывается не всегда; отдельные высокие баллы (88–92) идут за баланс, фруктовость и «взрывное» дымно-фруктовое послевкусие. Менее опытные оценивают чуть выше и охотнее подчёркивают ценовую привлекательность, но именно среди них звучит и самая резкая критика: серный тон от прокладки капсулы (оценка 82), тонкий и короткий аромат, избыточная горечь. Разброс невелик и оценки согласованы вокруг 86, а основное расхождение объясняется не столько опытом, сколько разницей между конкретными образцами и бутылками.
нос 84 · вкус 85 · финиш 85
Compared to #23, this is the smokier and biscuit-y one.
| Нос |
84 |
Apple, a whiff of smoke. |
| Вкус |
87 |
Tobacco, smoke, apple, biscuit, pepper, a little peach. |
| Финиш |
85 |
Apple, vanilla biscuits (lange vingers), a little smoke. |
Solid dram, Orkney origin not recognisable.
Amber color. Slight oiliness.
| Нос |
84 |
Light sweetness. Caramel. Dried fruit. Raisins. Honey. Red fruit. Cherries. Dark chocolate. Minerality. Very subtle trace of smoke. Pinch of salt. Not very volatile. Pinch of colored pepper. Toffee. The second nose is more volatile. Sweet cocoa comes through. |
| Вкус |
84 |
Quite spicy. Black pepper. Ginger. Dried fruit. Raisins. Red fruit. Cherries. Dark chocolate. Mon Cheri. Traces of smoke. Minerality. Pinch of salt. Second sip less spicy. Leather. Walnuts. |
| Финиш |
83 |
Hot at the start. Chili. Black pepper. Ginger. Dark chocolate. Dried fruit. Cocoa. Oak. Red fruit. Cherries. Second sip a little less, but still hot. Medium-length finish. |
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
нос 86 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
нос 84 · вкус 83 · финиш 84
A very well-rounded whisky. The combination of bright, citrusy ex-bourbon aromas and darker, leathery sherry cask notes makes it particularly interesting. Relatively little smoke, in my opinion. It seems slightly younger on the nose due to light but noticeable yeast notes. Benefits from the addition of water. Not a whisky for over-analysis, but definitely a solid drink.
нос 84 · вкус 85 · финиш 85
нос 90 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
Blind aroma vanilla, sweet, fermented fruits, acidity The taste wood spice, sweet, tobacco, wood spice, pepper, astringent aftertaste Medium length, some pepper, sparkling, sweet, spicy Today's dram from an open large bottle is much less sharp. I think there was something wrong with the first sample from 83 to 86
Nose-86; Taste-86; Finish-86.
Check I write that it is the only drinkable whisky from the set. But there is a tz flight that we had at BWC. Everything that disappointed me in the previous four whiskys is made up for in this one. Beautiful iodine and strove show, Highland Park style starch. And for the money = amazing whisky
нос 86 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
Fine and grainy smoke, light but very fruity sherry, with juicy grapes, candied quince, dried apricots, vinous touches, but then it's a rosé wine. The peat gives breadth to all that. A drop of water brings out the smoke. Beautiful balance on the finish. Very successful palate, the fruits melt on the tongue, this with just the right dose of pepper. Then the spices rise, clove, cumin, nutmeg. Long and pleasant finish, almost explosive, and which decants slowly, smoky wood, mossy bark, some black berries, it's almost sparkling, macerated fruits, medlars, morello cherries, moist leather. Chasselas grapes. I think this is one of the best products in this range which has become popular among whisky lovers. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2024/07/secret-orkney-2010-100-proof-edition-15.html
нос 88 · вкус 86 · финиш 89
нос 89 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 88 · вкус 90 · финиш 89
Respect - while Signatory's 100 Proof Edition started with bargains, all of which were under 10 years old, this Batch 15 is 14 years old. And secret or not, this is of course Highland Park, so first class. The bottling costs €45.90 in early summer 2024. The distillery's 15-year-old Viking Heart bottling costs almost twice as much and has a measly 44% vol., so it even has to be filtered. Signatory's 57.1 vol. without chill filtration is a completely different story. OK, in addition to 1st Fill Oloroso Butts, Bourbon Hogsheads are also used here. But Highland Park from Bourbon Casks can be really delicious. The color is promising with a dark amber tone.
нос 85 · вкус 83 · финиш 83
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
нос 87 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
| Нос |
87 |
intense smoke - a bit chemical, dirty wet cloth, sugar sweetness, strawberry milk candies, toffee, a lot of pepper comes through, citrus |
| Вкус |
86 |
very smoky, delicate sweetness quickly turning into dryness, a bit of chocolate, not sweet toffee, roasted sunflower shells, slightly fruity |
| Финиш |
85 |
medium length, very warming, bitter, cocoa, ash |
нос 84 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
The sulphur in the ignition pad takes away a lot of the Secret Orkney's potential. There are some lovely and typical HP notes, such as honey, light smoke and a good amount of fruit, but 666 keeps coming through. More notes and reviews on Facebook: #Maltkanzlei
Great smoky sherried Orkney whisky!
Much better with water than pure. [86 - 82 = good whisky -> get (a second) bottle? Maybe...] Based on price-performance alone, it should get a few more points, but in terms of aromas, it's "only" good overall, it's too bitter for my liking at the end.
| Нос |
88 |
without water: quite closed, it needs a little time for the aromas to emerge. If it can get some air, you can discover a lot: dark aromas, raisins, ripe apricots, the sweet heather - the HP is clearly recognizable here. The typical orange is also present. Nuts (especially hazelnuts, almonds) are slowly coming through, OK, the Oloroso is getting going. Typical sherry spices and spices (especially black pepper, nutmeg), plus milk chocolate but with a dark chocolate component, the more bitter part comes through more slowly. The sweetness comes through well with honey and caramel as well as the heather, but it is not extremely sweet, rather it maintains a good balance. The alcohol itself is well integrated, but every now and then you notice its increased strength. diluted to approx. 48%: it opens up more, now there are also a few more acidic components, the orange gets a splash of lemon; but it remains in harmony with the sweetness. It now seems more herbal, more floral - the heather stands out. The fruity aromas also come through more clearly. He now seems more lively/younger, but you can still tell that he is 14 years old; in fact, he reminds me a little of "Loyalty of the Wolf", which was also 14 years old. With every minute of more oxygen he gets better. |
| Вкус |
86 |
immediately diluted to around 48%: fruity, orange is there straight away, spicy, very spicy on the tongue, creamy texture, but wow, it's still spicy... it could use more water. It becomes quite dry, the Oloroso kicks in, the nut aromas push forward, tart note of dark chocolate, but with even more cocoa content, it is already moving towards bitterness (green walnut). 2nd sip: fruity again, sweeter than the first sip, creamier; the spiciness from the barrel is there right away, it is still quite hot, but the tongue could get used to it a bit, but you can now feel it in your throat - it warms you up well; so it is something for autumn or winter. |
| Финиш |
84 |
oh ha, it lingers for quite a long time; ash smoke comes through slowly and with a delay (noticeable, but not extreme), slightly bitter at the end. Nut aromas, unfortunately also the bitter green walnut, which detracts from the whole experience a little - but you can live with it. |
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 88
Really brilliant for the price, but ultimately not satisfactory, short and thin in aroma
Tasting: 09.2024 Sample: 5 cl. Points with added water: 87
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 86
| Нос |
85 |
Sherried, dry, heathery, salty, light meaty, smoked ham, salted chocolate, sea breeze |
| Вкус |
85 |
Dry sherry, chocolate, spicy, black pepper, chilli, bacon, Feels younger than its actual age with quite a lot of ABV burn Tolerates water very well, that restrains burn quite a lot |
| Финиш |
84 |
Medium - quite dry, minty, heathery, very light peat smoke, chilli burn Water helps here quite a lot |
A beautiful Highland Park from a sherry cask. You immediately get the typical Highland Park notes. The Oloroso and Bourbon casks have also done their job. You immediately notice heather and a little wood smoke on the nose. Then the sherry comes into its own with cherries, oranges and raisins. This is followed by floral notes and vanilla. The taste is very spicy to begin with, but also sweet. Wood smoke, oranges followed by honey, dried fruit and vanilla. The aromas linger in the mouth for a long time. Mainly pepper, nut - chocolate and wood smoke. A super bottling from Signatory Vintage and considering that this is a 14-year-old Highland Park, it is of course a banger for the price. The alcohol is well integrated and there are no off notes. A great whisky, great to drink. I like it a lot.
Finally a great whisky with 100 proof series. Straightforward Highland Park style with everything that goes with it + perfect ABV strength! Parade
Barely sugar sweet, salty bitter a good cask with no sulphur notes . With a few drops water more barley malt with creamy notes , fruity and well balanced with touch of peat. As a Highland Park fan this one hits the mark with value and quality in my opinion.
A really fine Secret Orkney. Honestly if you can buy this for less than €50 just go for it, I doubt you'll be disappointed for the price. I love the saltiness of the dram, the hints of smoke and in the background even the feintest hints of tropical fruits. I know a lot of people say Highland Park is not what it used to be, but leave it to the independents to try save some of its legacy.
нос 86 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
An atypical nose for an HP, lots of spices, it almost seems like a ray, very dirty in the mouth (which for me is a virtue), smoky, coffee, leather, a little alcoholic, medium-short finish.
нос 87 · вкус 88 · финиш 86
нос 86 · вкус 88 · финиш 87
cork not very firm color dark amber Sherry bomb! Price is unbeatable and therefore worth buying But you shouldn’t expect a bomb right away A
| Нос |
84 |
He has steam Lots of sherry Alcohol super integrated smoke only in the background Red fruits and light peach bookshelf with old books |
| Вкус |
85 |
Uii it makes room in the mouth and extremely sour but delicious Also peach sherry Subtle smoke noticeable makes it a bit more complex as there is already quite a lot of sherry on it A bit earthy or musty (not negative) Sour/Dry |
| Финиш |
85 |
Slightly sour notes of sherry remain Chocolate is there at the end Smoke not too strong in the finish Alcohol tingles |
Nase: Süß, Sauerkirsche, rote Trockenfrüchte, Gewürze, Eiche, Maracuja ••• Geschmack: Süß, Kirsche, Maracuja, Malz, Gewürze, Eiche ••• Abgang: Mittellang, süße Noten, Kirsche, Gewürze und etwas Eiche bleiben. ••• Fazit: In der Nase startet es intensiv. Süße Noten und Sauerkirsche kommen anfangs. Rote Trockenfrüchte, Gewürze und Eiche folgen. Nach einer wirke mischt sich eine Maracuja mit dazu. Der Geschmack geht ebenfalls intensiv los. Süße Noten und eine Mischung aus Kirsche und Maracuja zusammen mit Gewürzen gibt es hier. Eiche ist ebenfalls da. Mit Wasser gefällt er mir besser. Hier kommt im Geschmack dann auch eine leichte Rauch Note dazu, die vorher wahrscheinlich durch den starken Antritt überdeckt wurde. Aber ehr hat schon eine ganz schöne Schärfe mit im Portfolio. Das gefällt mir nicht ganz so gut. Insgesamt sehr Fass betont. Fehlnoten, bis auf die Schärfe, keine. ••• 85-86
нос 86 · вкус 87 · финиш 86
I gave the whisky 20 to 25 minutes in the glass beforehand to allow its aromas to develop. I think this whisky offers far more than you would expect from a whisky in this price range. So far, my favorite from Signatory Vintage's 100 Proof Edition is Glen Ord #22. Although this Secret Orkney is slightly ahead.
| Нос |
88 |
Forest honey and bitter almonds dominate the nose. In the background, you can detect what HP always refers to as heather. Although I can only identify this with other HP whiskies, as I have no idea what heather smells or tastes like. There are also light hints of lemon peel. |
| Вкус |
88 |
The taste also has a clearly recognizable HP profile for me. The dominant note for me is a tart grapefruit. The alcohol is very well integrated, so you can experiment with water if you like, but despite the high percentage it is not absolutely necessary. |
| Финиш |
87 |
The finish is warming and medium-long, with distinct notes of dark chocolate emerging. |
Simply good, the concept works here.
You get a really well-aged Highland Park from the sherry cask with all of its classic aromas, like light spicy wood smoke, heather with leather and tobacco. Considering the price, this is an absolute no-brainer for anyone who likes Highland Park.
I'm very impressed. The HP Original bottlings from their standard range had recently left me rather perplexed and disappointed. Here at Signatoy, however, you get for a comparatively small price what you'd actually expect from the original bottlings. Personally, I prefer (as with all high-proof spirits) to add a little water. This helps to soften a few minor weaknesses, such as the freshness on the nose or the pronounced pepperiness on the palate. It all becomes more palatable without losing much of its character.
| Нос |
85 |
First and foremost, there's a certain freshness, likely from the alcohol. Fortunately, this subsides, and immediately afterward, dark fruit sherry notes emerge. I detect fresh garden herbs, though I can't identify them individually. The scent of violets—or perhaps it's the heather often associated with HP. A powdered sugar sweetness. If there's any smoke present, it's very subtle. Surprisingly complex and appealing for this price range. |
| Вкус |
84 |
Sweet golden honey with a spicy, almost peppery note. Very oily consistency, like still-warm dark chocolate pudding with juicy black cherries. |
| Финиш |
86 |
Salted caramel, still very sweet. The spices tickle the palate. It becomes cherry-like again, now reminiscent of sour cherries from a jar on dark chocolate. A slight woody bitterness lingers in the back of the throat. Not unpleasant, it adds a touch of depth. |
scent: harsh, oil, something technical in the background honey, flowers taste: harsh, oily, diesel, sherry At first, diesel, or something technical, then it turns into sweetness
нос 89 · вкус 86 · финиш 87
oranges, coastal, subtle herbal smoke, sweet and spicy on the palate, peppery to a degree it makes you think of Talisker, the more water you add the more you think of Highland Park
Color: Honey Character / Style: Fruity & Sherry; slightly smoky
Very solid dram. Rich and bold profile, well matured. |Hefty cask influence, but the HP character can be easily detected. Takes water well. Great value.
Give it some time and opens up very well. Honey sweet notes which develops in fruity palate with tobacco and coffee notes, not so sweet. Aftertaste is richer after watering down to 50%, takes away oak bitterness and reveals dried fruits.
Coastal peat, roasted walnut, red fruits. The finish is quite short.
Nose a little restrained Taste sweet and honey then a mixture of dark chocolate and milk chocolate Initially a bit spicy but then pleasant peat smoke Very good plv
Golden. Nose: Sweetness, caramel, dark fruit, flat. Taste: Sweet, flat, oloroso, dark fruit. Rounded. HWS #10.
Although bourbon barrels are not my favorites, just like PX and Oloroso, I must admit that it is pleasant to sip.... The alcohol does not stand out significantly in the foreground
| Нос |
86 |
Wet grass, honey and herbs. Nutty notes. |
| Вкус |
88 |
Dry oak, hay and herbs back. Alcohol present, but not disturbing. Nuts intense there. |
| Финиш |
87 |
Come to stay, maybe a hint of salty smoke out the back. Good, intense dram. |
Blind rating Blind from @Paweł Zuchol Nose: Fat and buttery, slightly mineral. Very intense and pleasant. Some hay and stock cubes, cooked meat, green spices. Overall, I find it very umami. Minimal sulfur and minimal basement. Taste: Tart and pleasantly warming, slightly oaky, distinct spices. Finish: Quite long and bittersweet. Umami disappears. Maybe a hint of dried fruit comes through. It's getting so nice and warm and it's probably because of the voltage. I guess: 12yo 58% Bourbon cask and maybe a small amount of rinsed sherry cask The style suits me Campbelltown Rating: 88 - intense, complex and overall solid.
PLV cracker!!! A little reserved on the nose at first, but opens up with enough oxygen. Rather smoky for a HP, but makes the whisky very complex for its 14 years. BE SURE to experiment with water, the typical heather will then be accompanied by wonderful fruity notes. Recommended purchase!
нос 89 · вкус 88 · финиш 88
total taste experience of sherry cask strength is good. smell does not do much but a subtle taste with refined fresh and light taste. creamy taste
нос 60 · вкус 95 · финиш 85
A lovely Highland Park – yes, the cask is dominant and somewhat generic in its flavor profile, but the cask and distillate complement each other well, creating a beautiful and, above all, delicious combination. Highly recommended at this price. For me, a very solid 86/100 (7/10).
| Нос |
85 |
Fruity and spicy, with more American than European oak. With aeration, fresh aromas emerge (lemon peel, Earl Grey tea), followed by herbs/heather, a hint of smoke, and mineral notes (damp earth). With water, more smoke, forest honey, and sugarcane become apparent. Despite its 57.1% ABV, the alcohol is barely noticeable. |
| Вкус |
89 |
Sweet, spicy, and fruity with a touch of smoke, plenty of malt, heather, orange marmalade, nuts, and forest honey. Underlying these are hints of hay, salted chocolate, a light maritime note, and a touch of lavender. |
| Финиш |
84 |
The finish has both dark and fresh notes – on the one hand, milk chocolate, pepper, coffee, oak, leather, tobacco, and heather; on the other, orange peel and ginger. Slightly salty, but with a pleasant sweetness. It lingers relatively long. |
Delicious whisky, fantastic for just under €50. A must buy!
EDIT: The bottle has now been open and well past the shoulders for at least a year. It is better now. Rating updated. Compared with a regular OB, this is better, indeed. Compared with one of the OB single casks, this is mediocre with the taste of sad old wood. (In this case, the single cask is of the same vintage but bottled at 11yo and, yes, 2.5 times more expensive. But I would rather have 1 bottle of that than 3, 4, 5 bottles of this one. Alas instead I have one of this and none of that.)
An Orkney whisky from the wild side and that's not just because of the "100 proof", but also with a little water there's still a lot of smoke and power. More than I'm used to in Orkney. But the fruit notes are not lost and remain beautifully present. It has a nice acidity at the back, which provides a good counterbalance to the slightly smoky note. A thoroughly complex and successful whisky.
| Нос |
87 |
Green apple, sour apple rings, flowery, honey, lemon, slight smoke, barnyard, fresh |
| Вкус |
85 |
Raisins, apple, honey, more smoke then I got on the nose, |
| Финиш |
86 |
Long, powerful and spicy |
Price-quality ratio, I'm on the fence about whether to buy a bottle.
| Нос |
85 |
|
| Вкус |
87 |
87 |
| Финиш |
86 |
|
нос 85 · вкус 86 · финиш 85
Smells like burnt heather. The taste is reminiscent of a cream made from Oloroso sherry, heather and heather honey, and wood. This Highland Park is quite purist and not too sweet. The casks play a supporting role. It's not particularly complex, but it perfectly conveys the distillery's character. That's exactly what Highland Park is all about. Diluting it isn't worth it; the nose becomes more revealing, but the flavor loses a lot of intensity.
Great value for money. I have to say that for the money I haven't had a single Scotch this good in my glass in recent years. For what it is, it's outstanding in my opinion.
man man man
| Нос |
85 |
man man man |
| Вкус |
94 |
|
| Финиш |
97 |
|
In a direct comparison of 100 Proof Secret Orkney, Whitlaw 2024 10y and 100 Proof Caol Ila 10y rum, the Secret Orkney was something of a winner. The extra percentage gave it a slight lead over the Whitlaw, which is a bit more solid. The Caol Ila is not bad, but a bit too bitter and is nowhere near as good as the Caol Ila 100 proof #10. The Secret Orkney 2010 SV has no off notes, convinces with delicious heather and orange notes and with a power that can be channeled with a drop of water. I'm excited to see how the whisky develops with additional air. With the Caol Ila 8y 100 proof #10, this contributed enormously to the development.
Bought this along with the cask strenght Highland Park. What s difference. HP cask strenght is much younger with less cask impact. Less sherry caskd too. No real HP character. This secret orkney on the other hand is what highland park tasted like a decade ago and should taste like in official bottlings. Highly revommended. Best HP I have tasted for 10+ years.