57,2°
Distillery : Highland Park - Islands
Oloroso Sherry Octave Finish
Independant Bottling
By Murray McDavid
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 20 ppm
This 18-year-old Highland Park was finished in Octave casks of Oloroso sherry, which are small casks of less than 100 litres that allow for more intense interaction between the wood and the spirit. As proof of this, only three casks were used, resulting in a total of just 271 bottles available. I would have liked to know how long the finishing process lasted, but this information is unavailable. Not to be confused with another Highland Park from the same bottler, distilled the same year, with the same age, but reserved for The Old Bank of England, which is a renowned bar in London.
Let's Taste It :
Delicate and floral peat envelops sweet fruits, quinces, dates, greengages, banana, salted butter caramel, melted milk chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, nougatine, very light minerality and a hint of iodine, a grain of sea salt. On the palate, it is more fruity, with ripe mirabelle plums, juicy pears and fresh figs, sprinkled with cocoa powder, peanut crumbs and cinnamon. Spices that revive a herbaceous peat, hot stones tinged with soot. The finish offers cereals mixed with honey, ash-covered bark and heather, almond paste and sea salt.
In Short,
A superb balance between sweet sherry and very controlled peat, subtle coastal nuances and floral notes in the background. For me, as a long-time fan of this distillery, it's perfect, everything works. Except for the price, which I find very exaggerated, given that it's not a single cask.
Score : 90
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Ihlo- Mute
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