Description

Orkney (HP) 2005 Aged 19 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cask Strength Collection By Signatory Vintage Cask #DRU17 A63 #31 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 54.4%           Age: 19 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): DRU17 A63 #31
Date of Distilling: 07.05.2005
Date of Bottling: 18.06.2024
Matured In: 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

The Whisky

Experience the rugged, heather-swept coastlines of the north with the Signatory Vintage Orkney (HP) 19 Year Old (Cask #31). Part of the prestigious Cask Strength Collection, this 700ml single malt was distilled on May 7th, 2005, and matured for nearly two decades in a single First-Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt (DRU17/A63 #31). Bottled in June 2024 for the 2025 market at a formidable 54.4% ABV, this release is limited to just 626 bottles.

The “HP” shorthand is a classic independent bottling wink towards Highland Park, Orkney’s most famous distillery. By maturing this spirit in a first-fill sherry butt for 19 years, Signatory has amplified the distillery’s natural “heather-honey” profile with deep, oxidative fruit and nut notes. As with all Cask Strength Collection entries, it is non-chill filtered and natural in colour, showcasing a rich, autumnal amber.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: A dense and evocative bouquet. You are greeted by masses of dried fruits—raisins, figs, and black cherries—layered with the iconic Orkney notes of heather honey and caramelised pecans. As the glass breathes, a savoury, meaty umami develops, balanced by a faint wisp of coastal smoke and sea salt.

Palate: The arrival is powerful and rich. A big “sherry hit” of plum sauce and dark chocolate floods the tongue, followed by toasted walnuts and vanilla fudge. Mid-palate, the spirit reveals its island roots with a firm salty-mineral backbone and a delicate, grilled meat savouriness.

Finish: Long, warming, and profoundly sherry-rich. The finish tapers off with cocoa powder and oak spice, leaving a lingering aftertaste of honeyed nuts and gentle, aromatic smoke.

The Distillery

While officially “undisclosed,” the spirit is the quintessential output of Highland Park on the Isle of Orkney. Founded in 1798 by the legendary distiller smuggler Magnus Eunson, it is one of the few distilleries that still uses traditional floor maltings and hand-cut peat from the local Hobbister Moor. A unique factual detail: The peat in Orkney is wood-less and almost entirely composed of decayed heather, which is why the smoke in this 19-year-old is floral and aromatic rather than the medicinal, “ashtray” style found on Islay.

Overall Review

The Signatory Orkney (HP) 19 Year Old Cask #31 is globally reviewed as a “stunning example of age and origin,” praised for its masterful balance of maritime salt and first-fill sherry decadence. Critics have lauded its “meaty” depth and high-proof elegance, marking it as a mandatory purchase for collectors of high age Highland Park and fans of the “Secret Orkney” series.