Description
Highland Park 21 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 2019 Release
Highland Park has been distilled since 1798, on the same site where their founder, Magnus Eunson, set up his original illicit still at High Park. Ten miles from the northernmost reaches of the Scottish Mainland lie the 70 or so islands that make up Orkney, only 20 of which are inhabited. The beautiful, yet isolated cluster of islands, is pounded relentlessly by winds that frequently reach speeds of over 100mph in the winter. No tree can survive such an onslaught, which means that their moorland peat is woodless but rich in fragrant heather, which give rise to the unique aromatic smokiness of their whisky. For over 220 years, they’ve smoked their barley over 4,000-year-old peat, hand-cut from Hobbister Moor, just 7 miles from the distillery.
Matured in hand selected casks of first-fill sherry seasoned European oak casks, first-fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and refill casks for no less than 21 years.
This 21 years old November 2019 release shows the best of what Highland Park have to offer. Created from just 15 casks laid down in 1998 and earlier it boasts dried fruits, vanilla, spices and a wave of the aromatic smoke that is the hallmark of Orkney’s unique heather peat. Bottled at 46% abv and un-chill filtered.
  Nose: Sweet sherry with a hint of balsamic, wrapped around a toffee centre.
  Taste: Well-structured sweetness; aniseed balls and muscovado sugar with some smoke and apple crumble.
  Finish: Spicy raisins with the aniseed lingering for a drawn out, exotic note.
  Overall: A lovely dram that shows off the best elements of this very popular distillery.
