57,1° (100° Proof)
Distillery : Highland Park - Islands
1st Fill Amontillado Sherry Finish
Independent Bottling
By Signatory Vintage
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2025
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peated around 20 ppm
Yet another Highland Park from the 100 Proof range, launched by Signatory Vintage in January 2024. There are seven, and this is the fifth one I’ve tasted. Contrary to what one might think, they do differ from one another, take this one, for example, which has been finished in first-fill Amontillado sherry hogsheads. However, we know nothing about the initial maturation. It’s becoming something of a trend to mention only the finish and keep quiet about the initial maturation. Even though it’s almost certainly Bourbon casks, it would be better to specify this.
Let's Taste It :
A whisper of peat, raw wood, followed immediately by a mellow cloud of fruit, mirabelle plums, redcurrants, heather honey, creamy vanilla, candied apricots. A medicinal drop, turpentine, perhaps mercurochrome. A touch of iodine and sea foam. On the palate, very apricot-like, orange marmalade, then virulent spices, cloves, cumin, black pepper. A fairly long finish, though not extremely powerful, semi-salted butter, resin and runny honey, elegant oak, scrambled eggs, thyme and rosemary, vanilla ice cream.
In Short,
Although the finish in Amontillado Sherry hogsheads lends a pleasant fruitiness, the rest is rather unremarkable, with a few recognisable notes from the distillery and a robust oakiness. That’s why I would have liked to know about the initial maturation, although I doubt it was in refill bourbon casks, as these failed to give this whisky sufficient personality. It’s still a pleasant and powerful product with a certain character, but there are better whiskies in this range, I can guarantee you that.
Score : 87
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Automatic - Black Box
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