Decadent Drinks Old Orkney Relics 30yo 1996

Decadent Drinks Old Orkney Relics 30yo 1996

Region: Scotland

ABV: 41.7%

Price: £120.00

Originally created by Gordon & MacPhail from whiskies distilled in 1996, this is the final cask of their original Old Orkney blended Scotch. Bottled by Decadent Drinks in 2026 after 30 years of maturation in a refill sherry butt, the blend contains a high proportion of Orkney malt, although the individual component distilleries have not been disclosed. Decadent Drinks acquired the historic Old Orkney brand from Gordon & MacPhail and revived the Old Orkney Relics name for this release. Bottled at natural strength, the cask produced 492 bottles.

Nose

Palate

The palate opens with coffee, dark chocolate and salt, alongside pears and rice crackers. Toffee, vanilla buttercream and more dark chocolate add plenty of sweetness, with a touch of pepper spice appearing towards the end of medium length finish. The mouthfeel is okay. Some interesting flavours on the palate, but it doesn’t quite live up to the nose

Nose (with water)

Water brings out some warehouse funk and more dried wood, while several of the sweeter notes have mellowed. Leather and tobacco have appeared in their place, giving the nose a more savoury character. The alcohol remains well balanced.

Palate (with water)

Water leaves the mouthfeel relatively unchanged, although the finish feels a touch shorter. There’s considerably more honey now and the sherry influence feels more obvious, while the spice on the finish is still a light pepper.

Conclusion

The nose is definitely the stronger part of this whisky for us, with a really enjoyable mix of aromas. The palate is perfectly pleasant, with chocolate, coffee and a gentle sherry influence, but it doesn’t quite have the same level of interest or complexity. Water brings out more sherry without doing much for the mouthfeel. Personally we preferred this neat.

Score: 7/10

Value

At £120 for a 30yo whisky, there’s very little to complain about from a value perspective, even if the liquid itself doesn’t quite reach the same heights as its age statement.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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