Secret Orkney 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 years old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Some whiskies whisper their origin instead of shouting it. Secret Orkney keeps its distillery under wraps on the label, but not in the glass — a single-batch bottling from Signatory Vintage, thirteen years in the making on Orkney's salt-swept air.

Expert Description

Secret Orkney 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 Year Old is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in refill hogsheads and bottled at 46%.

The distillery behind the discreet name cannot be printed on the label, but Orkney is home to only two distilleries, and the cask codes point firmly towards Highland Park. Signatory Vintage filled the whisky into a run of refill hogsheads, cask numbers DRU 17/A67-9/-10/-13/-21, without adding colouring or chill filtering before bottling.

The whisky was distilled on 31 March 2009 and left to mature until January 2023, when 483 bottles were filled — a small, hand-picked release that shows Orkney character in an unfiltered, natural state.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Heather blossom and a whisper of smoky peat meet salt sea air and ripe apple, with a soft honey sweetness underneath tying it all together.

Palate

Soft and lightly oiled, with citrus peel, toasted malt and a warm spice run of ginger and clove. The natural colour keeps the flavour clean and direct.

Finish

Medium in length, gently peated towards the end, with a lingering heather sweetness and a touch of salted caramel that fades slowly.

Specifications

Name: Secret Orkney 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 Year Old
Distillery: Orkney (undisclosed distillery, believed to be Highland Park)
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Region/Country: Orkney Islands, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 13 Years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Refill Hogsheads
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 31 March 2009
Bottled: January 2023
Number of bottles: 483
EAN: 5021944121755

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Fruity · Soft

Did You Know?

Orkney only has room for two distilleries — Highland Park and Scapa — and both sit on the edge of Kirkwall, less than a kilometre apart.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Secret Orkney 2009/2023 Signatory Vintage 13 Year Old

Why is it called Secret Orkney, and which distillery does it come from?

The distillery cannot be named on the label due to an agreement between Signatory Vintage and the distillery itself. Orkney only has two distilleries, and the cask codes on this bottle point strongly towards Highland Park, though it's never officially confirmed.

Is Secret Orkney 2009/2023 a peated whisky?

Yes, but only lightly. The peat shows up as an underlying warmth on the nose and finish rather than a dominant smoke wall — typical of the Orkney style, which is much gentler than Islay.

How many bottles were released?

Just 483 bottles came from this batch of refill hogsheads, making it a rare, standalone release from Signatory Vintage.

Is Secret Orkney a good gift?

Yes, especially for someone who already knows and loves Highland Park or the Orkney style but wants to try something rarer, outside the distillery's own official releases.

How should this whisky be served?

Best enjoyed in a tulip-shaped whisky glass at room temperature, ideally with a few drops of water to open up the heather and citrus notes.

What is Signatory Vintage, and why do they bottle under secret names?

Signatory Vintage is one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers, founded in 1988. Some distilleries only allow their whisky to be sold under an undisclosed name, letting the bottler tell the story without breaking their agreement with the distillery.

How does Secret Orkney differ from Highland Park's own releases?

Highland Park's own bottlings are typically coloured and often chill filtered, while this Signatory release is both natural in colour and non-chill filtered, giving a rawer, more direct expression of the distillery's style.