To remain on observe with our promise to offer you a have a look at a number of the extra widespread core vary expressions of Scotch, I’m going to take a wee step again towards Orkney. I just lately wrote about Highland Park 18; right this moment I’ll have a look at three bottles that I’d name Highland Park’s “core” vary… nicely right here within the UK, anyway, however extra on that under.
Highland Park is a whisky that for a very long time was not all the time out there readily on grocery store cabinets, maybe giving it a little bit of a extra premium fashion branding. Nevertheless, in the previous couple of years it has began to seem way more continuously on aisles of our extra widespread, giant named shops. I might simply stroll to TESCO or Sainsburys and choose up a bottle of Highland Park (after I say stroll, I really imply drive).
This has made the model extra available to the informal drinker versus the extra educated aficionado. Maybe that is aligned with the whisky’s extra commercially-styled Viking branding, which makes it interesting and accessible to extra than simply the golden liquid connoisseurs? For no matter cause, it’s now on the shelf.
So what three bottles am I speaking about? Nicely, they’re the Highland Park 10 12 months previous “Viking Scars,” the 12 12 months previous “Viking Honour,” and the NAS “Dragon Legend.” I’d think about these three the “actual” foundation of the core vary. There’s the 18 12 months previous we’ve beforehand coated, and such bottles because the 15 12 months previous “ceramic” bottle, or the 14 and 16 12 months previous journey/obligation free exclusives, and naturally there are 21, 25, and 30 12 months previous expressions. The provision of those may be sporadic to say the least, and the associated fee may be prohibitive to many, with the present 21 12 months previous rolling in round £240 ($275) for 750ml. One other bottle that I wish to share with you (however can’t) is the NAS “Magnus.” For a lot of that is seen as an “entry stage” Highland Park, however though made right here in Scotland, its solely out there within the USA… I simply can’t get a bottle!
So, the three chosen drams are those that I can stroll as much as right this moment and buy in retailer for much less that £50 ($57)
The Whisky
Highland Park is a peated whisky, however for a lot of it’s a extra accepted peat, maybe lighter and simpler on the palate. Tt can push the boat out on some expressions however – being sincere – if you happen to’re a peat fan there are various different drams to discover away from Highland Park to fulfill your repair. Even my good friend Mark who admits to “not having fun with peat” really enjoys Highland Park… go determine.
Highland Park 10 Yr Outdated “Viking Scars” – Evaluation
Color: Mild gold
On the nostril: A delicate sherry affect, and once more a delicate smoke lingering, barely spirity, however not spicy.
Within the mouth: A Spicier style than on the nostril, maybe some ginger cookies, waxy citrus peel. Maybe sweeter that citrus bitter, there’s that Highland Park earthy fashion peat (it’s my key tasting word in Highland Park) and as with the nostril there’s a mild sweetness of the sherry cask maturation. Salty, smoky, slight pepper, medium end.
Conclusions:
Nicely it’s most positively not a foul dram. It’s nearly refreshing to my style; it has a malty and light-weight mouthfeel. It’s a type of drams that I don’t assume might ever be known as advanced, its extra a type of that you might pour and sip and luxuriate in, however with out actually distracting you from you job at hand. Studying a e book or watching a film, you need a wee dram however actually you don’t need to lose the focus you could have. At round £35 on a foul day, £25 on supply, it could be value a go to
Rating: 6/10
Highland Park 12 Yr Outdated “Viking Honour” – Evaluation
Color: Mild golden bronze.
On the nostril: Recent, fragrant. Creamy, notes of honey come via; it’s candy but smoky.
Within the mouth: It’s fairly a deep dram, in that there’s a slight depth initially, maybe considerate on the preliminary sip. Fruity, juicy, maybe an natural tea, and that compost heather fashion of a peaty smoke, coated in a wee candy case. On the end: pepper, spice, herbs, smoke… longish.
Conclusions
Nicely, one factor is for me it’s not the identical as above; it’s not the identical dram simply left for 2 extra years! Whereas in idea the casks utilized in maturation are the identical, I believe the mixing achieved to complete this 12 12 months previous produces a special liquid. Extra thought to the drinker on this dram, however in some respects I believe I want its youthful sibling above. It by no means is undesirable, and I think on a special day I’d take pleasure in this greater than the ten. I assume if the value is true I’d assume this higher? Once more, this rocks in round £35 on a foul day, £25 when on supply.
Rating: 5/10
Highland Park “Dragon Legend” – Evaluation
Color: Mild bronze.
On the nostril: Dried minimize grass, or a stroll via a freshly baled area, perhaps stopping of for a glass of sherry or pink wine on the best way. Some slight sweet sweetness.
Within the mouth: Peat! This hits heavier on the peated aspect than you’ll discover within the two earlier drams. It’s there from the primary sip; it does give approach to that sherry… maybe sherry-soaked darkish fruits, Christmas fruit cake springs to thoughts, wholesome and lip smacking. On the end, the Christmas spice is there, maybe with some citrus; it’s lengthy and moreish.
Conclusions
That is extra akin to one thing a peated dram drinker would take pleasure in. It isn’t pretending to have peat in it; it’s there, unhidden, however like the opposite two it has nonetheless received and air of being clear and contemporary about it. This one, maybe greater than the opposite two, is accepting of its earthy peaty-ness, relatively pleasant. The worth on this will shoot to the dizzy heights of £45, however may be discovered dropping to round £32.
Rating: 6/10
Total Conclusions
Highland Park, has, for some, grow to be a extra fashionable individuals spirit than the aficionado’s dram. I’m not towards that; I’m a type of individuals whom needs everyone to take pleasure in Scotch whisky. If making it extra engaging to a sure age group or buyer base means some rebranding each every so often then, yeah, why not? The purists on the market will in all probability shake heads, inform me it’s all gimmicks and many others. However on the finish of the day whisky producers – in all fact – aren’t there to cater to the aficionado; they’re there to supply to everybody. No mater our private choice, whisky is for everybody, take pleasure in it the way you need. As a Viking would possibly say: Skål.
