The Uncharted Whisky Co.

Because the makers like to connect whisky and music with a wink. Releases carry names that refer to well-known songs, such as Paint It Brack for the Royal Brackla, a pun on Paint It Black, and Park Life for the Orkney 20. It makes every bottle recognisable and gives it a story, even when the distillery name does not feature prominently on the label.

The bottler does not state it officially; the label only says Orkney. There are just two whisky distilleries on Orkney, Highland Park and Scapa, but we do not know for certain which one it is, so we do not name either. What is certain: the whisky was distilled in 2003, matured for twenty years in a single refill ex-bourbon cask and was bottled unfiltered and without colouring.

The Uncharted version is a small bottling of casks chosen by the bottler itself, while an official Tomatin follows the distillery's consistent house style. Both show the soft, fruity Highland character, but Uncharted bottles without colouring or chill filtration and selects the casks purely on its own taste. Set it beside the bottles in our Tomatin collection and taste the difference.

Lively and fruity, with the warmth of sherry. This 8 year old Royal Brackla matured in a first-fill oloroso sherry cask, which adds dried fruit, nuts and a spicy touch to the fresh Highland spirit. Royal Brackla is known as the first whisky to receive a Royal Warrant, granted by King William IV in 1833. A young bottle with plenty of character at a friendly price.

An 8 year old Speyside single malt from Uncharted Whisky, assembled from a handful of ex-bourbon casks from the Aultmore distillery. The whisky is unpeated, fresh and fruity, with pear, pineapple and lemon, and is bottled at 46% ABV without colouring or chill filtration. It is the lightest bottle in this collection and a lovely introduction to this bottler's style.