Secret Highland 16 Year Old Thompson Bros. (70cl, 45.1%)

Secret Highland is a 16 year old Highland single malt bottled by the independent bottler Thompson Bros. in July 2026 at 45.1%, in a 70cl bottle. Its last six years of maturation were spent in Moscatel casks from the Iberian Peninsula, which add fruity sweetness and spicy wood. It is unpeated, copper in the glass, and bottled without chill-filtration or added colouring. The label carries a sardine illustration, echoing the tomato sardines suggested as an unusual pairing. The nose offers blood orange and dried orange peel with light honey and floral notes. The palate is creamy to buttery, with sweet orange cream, caramel and roasted hazelnuts. The finish is long and dry, with oak spice, cinnamon and vanilla.