Highland Park 15 Year, Berry Bros. & Rudd “Orkney Islands”
Whisky : Highland Park 15 Year, Berry Bros. & Rudd “Orkney Islands”
Country/Region : Scotland/Islands
ABV : 56.8%
Cask : Sherry Butt
Age : 15 Years (Distilled 2002, Bottled 2018)
Nose : Salt, citrus, and dried leather. Herbal smoke off burning heather, chemical disinfectant, and a subtle diesel or sherry funk. Musty berries gave it a fruity edge while red leather books and sawdust hung in the background.
Palate : Medium bodied with an initial hit of citrus and berries that transitioned into herbal-heather notes. Mild dried tobacco mixed with earthy notes of turmeric and sun dried tamarind pods. Musty notes of leather shoes lost in a barn (according to the wife) as well as a rancio funk that reminded me of diesel and motor boats. On the back end were notes of slightly dirty, musty, salty life preservers.
Finish : Lingering musty leather, dried fruit, and herbs.
Score : 4
Mental Image : Life Vests on a Pirate Ship
Notes : This Highland Park had a really mild salinity and smoke. Usually when I sip on Highland Park I feel as through I am on a coal fired ship steaming against heady seas, but this was far mustier and herbal. It may have been the sherry rancio that came through, but this felt earthy, almost dirty, and entirely different from anything I have had from the distillery. Notes of slightly sweet herbal tobacco paired off against sun cured tamarind pods and earthy turmeric, but I had trouble getting past the rancio-diesel notes. Those were the same notes I got hung up on with a 12 Year Bowmore from Exclusive Malts. While I know some love this kind of sherry funk, it just does not work for me.
Overall, a powerful sherry driven Highland Park with little of the maritime bones I expect from the distillery. Definitely a unique experience.
Photo Credit : The Whisky Barrel
