Highland Park Dragon Legend

 

 

 

43,1°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Sherry Seasoned European Oak Casks

Original Bottling  

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2017

Uncoloured 

Peated around 20 ppm

Launched in 2017, this bottling is supposed to give a peatier, more sherry-driven version than usual in Highland Park. Now the one most easily found in supermarkets, it replaces the 10 and 12 year olds in these dens of iniquity, without the latter two disappearing altogether. The name alludes to a legend about a slain dragon and a Viking who licked its blood, thus obtaining the gift of prophecy - nothing very interesting.

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is more peaty than usual. Beautiful peat, both mineral and rustic, hay, salt and a lovely sea breeze. Vanilla and lemon. Tide and foam. A thick slice of iodine. Grapefruit. Some exotic fruits, pineapple, mango. Planty notes of fern and tree bark. Light on the palate. And... it's still light. Oh yes, a few spices, cumin, paprika, curry. It gradually builds, and after a while you find a nice balance, it's quite full-bodied. A touch of vanilla and citrus fruits. Quite a long, clean finish, not at all aggressive, but sparkling, woody, chocolate, blond tobacco. Candied ginger.

 

In Short, 

I've been wanting to try this whisky for a while. Given the reviews I've read here and there, I thought it might be interesting. Today, I'm glad I didn't give in to the temptation to buy it. It's too young and light on the palate, the nose lacks fruitiness, the finish is quite good, but nothing extraordinary either. It's just another uninteresting bottling from this fine distillery, which is wasting its talents, and that's a real shame. That said, it's not bad either, and a good time is had by all.

Score : 84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                          Coldplay - Paradise