George, our Master of Malt, takes us to the very tip of Scotland for our October Malt of the Month.
Highland Park distillery located in Orkney is the Northernmost Distillery in Scotland, situated as it is just South of the Arctic Circle.
Highland Park is one of only a few distilleries that still use the expensive and physically demanding task of turning its own barley by hand during the drying process. About 20% of the barley used in Highland Park is actually produced on Orkney; the remainder is supplied from a Malting Company in the Scottish Borders.
There are 23 warehouses on site, of which 19 of the very traditional ‘dunnage’ style. These feature cool, damp earth floors and stone walls which combine to give the casks as natural an environment as possible for maturation. After a period of time some of the casks are transferred to the mainland to finish their maturation, this along with the malted barley is what gives Highland Park its distinctive aroma and smoky sweetness.
Highland Park 12 Year Old
Take your time to appreciate the nose of Highland Park 12 and you’ll discover the characteristic honey sweetness followed by fruit – maybe pineapple, apple or pear. On the palate it is drying and leaves a gentle smoky feeling and a flavour that just keeps on going.
Tasting Notes
COLOUR: Glowing amber
NOSE: Heather-honey sweetness; peaty smokiness
PALATE: Rounded smoky sweetness; full malt delivery
FINISH: Teasing, heathery, subtle smoke. Delicious
Whisky Tasting Evenings
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I would love to make it as far as the Orkneys one day to check out this great distillery. The 12 year old is a good solid, lightly peated drop, and the handful of other expressions I’ve tried have been fantastic.