Scotland, the Isles: Single malt whisky through the producing distilleries: history, making, production and tasting notes
Texte Français

Highland Park

The Isles: Orkney

Description of the whisky

The distillery

Highland Park
Highland Park Distillery
Holm Road, Kirkwall
Orkney KW15 ISU
+44 1856 874 619
Owner: The Edrington Group
Creation date: 1798

Highland Park, the most Northern of all Scottish distilleries dominates both the city of Kirkwall and the famous Scapa Flow. At the end of the 18th century, preacher Magnus Eunson who was a famous smuggler, is supposed to have distilled spirit on the place of the current distillery. He was hiding stocks of illegal spirit under the pulpit in the church. This preacher who was a native of Orkney has been canonized here later, but the church of Kirkwall has not been named after him, but after Magnus Erlendsson who died some 600 years earlier.
The current distillery has been built in 1825 by Robert Borwick, but is became soon the property of John Robertson who was the excise man who jailed Magnus Eunson for moonshine distilling. Later on the ownership of the distillery has been shared between Borwick and Robertson, until the last retired. After the death of Robert Borwick, his son George became manager of the business until 1860.
After this, Highland Park has been owned by different people since 1890 when James Grant, owner of The Glenlivet formed a partnership with William Stuart, owner of Miltonduff.
The production capacity was doubled in 1898, 10 years after the buying-up of William Stuarts shares by James Grant.
It is part of the Highland Distillers group since 1937.
The Highland Distillers group has been acquired by Edrington Group in November 1999 for £ 601m.
Highland Park is part of the composition of Long John amongst others.
Highland Park Highland Park

Highland ParkHighland ParkHigland ParkHighland ParkHighland ParkHighland Park Highland Park

The whisky

A propos des notes de dégustation Your own tasting notes

List of the bottles

Description of the distillery

Official 12 years 82/100 11
Official 15 years 82/100 3
Official 21 years old for Travel Retail 89/100 1
Official 16 years 79/100 1
Official Single Sherry cask 1983 91/100 1
Official 18 years 86/100 5
Official 21 years 79/100 1
Official Single Cask 5831, bottled for Maxxium NL 88/100 1
Official Single Cask 2793 Leiden festival Edition 88/100 1
Official Saint Magnus, 12 years 84/100 1
Official 25 years 89/100 4
Official 38 years, 1966/2005 "For the whiskyfair Limburg" 0/100  
Adelphi Adelphi Breath of the Isles 84/100 1
Adelphi Adelphi, 24 years 88/100 2
Alc-hem-ist 15 years 84/100 1
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection, 16 years 88/100 2
Dewar Rattray Cask Collection, 18 years 86/100 2
Douglas Laing Provenance, summer distillation 1998 84/100 1
Douglas Laing Provenance: 10 years, Summer distillation 79/100 2
Douglas Laing Refill hogshead #5697 1998-2009 82/100 15
Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask, 1987 82/100 3
Duncan Taylor Specially selected for The Nectar Belgium 91/100 1
Gordon & MacPhail Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Reserve 84/100 1
Gordon & MacPhail Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Reserve Cask 5823 81/100 1
Gordon & MacPhail Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Reserve (For Netherlands) 79/100 1
Gordon & MacPhail Cask 1989 83/100 4
Gordon & MacPhail MacPhail's 30 years 84/100 1
Jack Wieber Scottish Castles, 25 years 84/100 1
Malts of Scotland 1986, Bourbon Hogshead 90/100 1
Master of Malt 13 years 85/100 1
Meadowside (The Maltman) 12 years 84/100 1
Murray McDavid Bourbon/Grenache Blanc aged in Banyuls casks 84/100 1
Murray McDavid 1989 Refuill sherry/ Grenache blanc 65/100 1
Murray McDavid Murray McDavid Mission 1967 85/100 3
Scott's Selection Scott's Selection 1985 84/100 1
Signatory Un-chillfiltered collection 1988 86/100 4
Signatory Orange Label for LMDW , first edition 91/100 1
Signatory Straight from the Cask 1985 85/100 4
Signatory Unchill filtered collection 87/100 1
Signatory Cask Strength Collection 1992, 11 yo 86/100 2
Signatory City of Zwolle, selected by Hans Offringa 0/100  
Signatory Orange label for LMDW (second edition) 85/100 1
Signatory Cask Strength Collection 1990, 16 yo 88/100 1
SMWS Cask 91 79/100 1
The Whisky Exchange Single Malts of Scotland, 16 years 0/100  
The Nectar 24 years old Daily Dram 89/100 2
The Whisky Agency 1977-2010 91/100 1
Highland Park Official bottlings

Highland-Park

12 years
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 40,0 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 82/100
The colour is amber with golden glints. The nose is full and rich marked by undergrowth, heather, (light) sherry, vanilla, grilled barley and light smoke touches.
The palate is fresh and full, and confirms the nose even if it is better balanced.
The finish is elegant and its length is average. A smooth malt, developing between heather, ash and an wood-vanilla texture.

(la Maison du Whisky)

The nose reveals immediately the exceptional class of this great malt. Balance and complexity associated to a great aromatic richness characterize the whisky of the most Northern of all Scotland's distilleries. A light smell of iodinated smoke associated to grilled malt hints emphasizes the exceptional character of this single malt. The taste is even pleasant. The only negative point is that the pleasure disappears quickly, due to a too short finish. The affordable price makes it a good quality-price ratio.
84/100
The second tasting completely confirmed the first one. A very great malt.
84/100
At the third tasting, the rich and complex nose revealed some floral hints, sweet and smoky at the time on a background of malt and vanilla. In the palate, a great sweetness, allying the sweet honey hints to wild fragrances, recalling humid undergrowth impressions. A rather long finish where the memory of honey remains, on a malted background with some spicy hints.
84/100
A nicely fruity nose with honey and heather hints with a very slightly acid touch on a discrete smoky background. A lot of nice nose sensations. In the palate, a mix of sweet citrus fruits, slightly salted, malt and vanilla with a very discrete touch of sherry. A pleasant finish recalling the nice fruity character of this complex whisky.
84/100
A very beautiful nose full of fruits, mix of green apple and ripe pear, Marshmallow, honey and quite discrete floral hints. This nose announces a great malt.
In the palate, the first impression seems to be some lack of character but it develops quickly on a very nice complexity with tasting travelling endless between a nice fruity acidity and a nutty notes, followed by malty ones. The whole being very smooth.
The finish is rather long with discrete chocolate notes.
84/100

Comment by
J.L. Zamora

sweet honey and light smooth. Palate: sweet (vanilla, honney) light smoke, an citrus hints. A very good whisky ideal for any good whisky collection

 84/100

Comment by
Henrik Johansson

Apperance: Pale gold to Amber.
Nose: Wood laquer, peat, military tent, resinous, wood smoke. Diluted dram is much sweeter revealing honey and vanilla. Very fruity, malty and just a bit carbolic. Body: Medium. Very smooth.
Palate: Quite dry with less smoke than expected. Starts off bland, then explodes in a cresendo of sea plants, dried fruits and old wood. Then comes a dry cover of smoke.
The finish is long and delishious with a flavour of irish stout.

 85/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

12 years
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 40,0 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 82/100
Highland Park 18
Colour: Gold
Nose : full, floral (violet, lilac)
Hints of honey, chocolate apricot and smoked malted barley.
Palate : smooth, confirms the nose. Evolution on spices (nutmeg) and dried fruit.
Finish : dry, ash (nut, almonds). Sherry notes on a background of heady flowers (honeysuckle).
(la Maison du Whisky)
A rather fresh nose with a pleasant flower smell and some spicy hints on a malted background. In the palate, a slightly bitter taste (walnut) with spicy touches, still on a malt background. A long and dry finish, where a kind of bitterness dominates floral hints. The honey sweetness which is so characteristic of the younger official version is here not present at all.
84/100
A very nice nose between flowers and ripe fruit, on a spicy and malty background. A remarkably balanced mouth, between honey and spices with a little woody aftertaste, which enhances the smooth complexity of the whole. A nice finish, dry and slightly bitter;
84/100

Comment by
Henrik Johansson

Apperance: Old sauternes ranging to copper
Nose: A very complex aroma. Warm, nutty, a littly grassy and flowery. Some peat. Diluted nose is slightly dusty. Huge development of character. Flowery and nutty at first, then dry and salty, then woody and sweet. Deeply complex.
Body: Very smooth and mouth filling.
Palate: Delicate at first. Dry and salty middle, then comes nuts, honey and spices. Oily.
Long spicy finish with dark chocolate notes.
Comments: And exeptionally smooth and complex dram. Top notch.

 89/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

21 years
Age
 21 years
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Highland Park 21
Nice nose with some discrete floral hints with some character.
In the palate a good general impression too, even if this whisky seems to be watery... A higher percentage of alcohol would be welcome. Touches of honey, a light bitterness but the whole remains discrete, seems to be somewhat week.
The finish is relatively short and keeps the memory of flower and malt.
This is a kind of deception for a 21 old Highland Park.
79/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

25 years
Age
 25 years
Alcohol percentage
 53,5 %
Bottler
 Official
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 89/100
Highland park 25
The colour is amber with greenish glints. The nose is fine on a background of heather, vanilla and is nicely woody. The palate is full, nearly syrupy and floral (violet). It is also marked by honey (acacia), heather and sherry. The length of the finish is impressive.
Maison du Whisky)
The remarkably fine nose is very sweet despite the relatively high degree of alcohol. The taste is very intense and is marked by malt with a background chocolate and honey taste. Sherry presence is obvious. A wonderful finish developing on chocolate crowns this excellent bottle.
88/100
A very nice nose, revealing sherry, vanilla and slight smoke hints a the time, the whole perfectly balanced announces a great old whisky. A slight and fresh heather smell is rather present too. In the palate, the first impression is discretion, but developing quickly on honey and chocolate hints on a malty background, with some nice floral touches. A remarkable and very long finish, where honey hints and sherry notes are nicely present on a heather background.
88/100
An extremely pleasant nose with its moka and malt notes and it's discrete yeast hints. Despite those dominant palette, the nose remains very fresh and gives off some nice citrus notes merged with hints of other fruits. Nice complexity. The palate is first influenced by clear sherry hints before developing on cut grass hints, fruit, honey and slightly woody notes. The lingering finish is warm and pleasant. Amazingly complex and the moka notes from the nose develop on chocolate and the memory of all sensations in the palate prolong for quite a while.
88/100

Comment by
Henrik Johansson

The last of the three bottles in the Highland Park gift set my ex-girlfriend bought for me while we were dating, and truly an exceptional old malt. I've enjoyed all three immensly, the 12 year old, the 18 year old and finally, the great 25 year old. Holding this glass sort of makes me feel bad I broke up with her. Apperance: Dark copper or Amontillado Sherry Nose: Very mild and balanced. Creamy. White chocolate and orange fudge. Slight wiff of malt. Absolutely delicious. Diluted it becomes just a bit dryer and some mossy scents comes out. Hugely complex aroma. If I put the glass an inch further away from my nose I get a scent of bakery. Brilliant. Body: Creamy and very full while smooth as silk. Palate: Just like I experienced with all the other Highland Park! bottlings to some extent, it starts out very light and delicate, but after just a second comes a malty richness rolling. White chocolate, fruits, honey and spices. A lot of development. The finish is very long with balanced sweetness and a malty tone.

 92/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Single Cask 2793 Leiden festival Edition
Age
 19 years
Alcohol percentage
 55,3 %
Bottler
 Official
Cask
 Sherry
Cask number
single cask 2793
Dates
 Distil: 1986 Bottling: 2005
Bottle
 153 of 1120 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Highland Park Leiden bottling
Colour: Rich, dark orange glow
.
Nose: a sweet sherry note is the first thing to notice. Then comes the Maple syrup interlaced with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg finishing with a feeling of being in the great outdoors.
Palate:Intensely sweet and warming with candied orange peel leading to a gentle smokey mouth feel.
Finish: delicate finish with hint of raspberry.
The nose is clearly marked by a subtle mix of sherry and honey with nice woody and chocolate notes.
The mouth is first rather dry, but develops quickly on nice chocolate notes. Nice evolution with with clear nutty hints. A very beautiful finish, lingering and perfectly in the style of the nose and the mouth.
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Single Cask 5831, bottled for Maxxium NL
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 58,5 %
Bottler
 Official
Cask number
single cask 5831
Dates
 Distil: 1990 Bottling: 2006
Bottle
 515 of 1272 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Highland Park Single Cask
There is no doubt possible: this nose is very sherryish. No need to smell it, this was already obvious just after having seen the colour. All the complex sweetness of sherry is present here, with some floral notes, some honey, cocoa and even vanilla.
The mouth has to deal with some complex environment, where woody bitterness, sherryish smoothness and some quite acid notes share the attention. The mouth is powerful on one hand, but seems sometimes a bit watery on the other hand. A tiny lack of consistence. The mouth is very complex and the taste seems to develop following a pre-determinate scheme. First bitterness, nuts and for a very short while, nothing (water) before going to citrus hints and than the nut again. This evolution seems to be cyclic (but water is happily not returning in the cycle). Really a nice impression in the mouth.
The finish is warm and lingering, marked principally by a mix of wood and sherry, which delivers happiness for some very long minutes.
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

15 years
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 40,0 %
Bottler
 Official
=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 82/100
Highland Park 15
A nice moor smell with heather and a hint of iodine and smoke. In the mouth, a great smoothness with some woody hints and fruity notes. An interesting finish, with typical honey hints. Just a pity this whisky is not a bit stronger.
84/100
Hints of yeast and nice freshness characterize the very first nose. Then, some more complex notes appear, a kind of mix of wood and plum jam.
In the palate, a mix of pleasant slightly bitter notes and hints of malt and a touch of honey. Nice balance, but quite a linear whisky.
The finish is rather long but rather plain too, even if some nice peppery notes are clearly present. And this impression of spiced malt persists for a while.
84/100
Back to summary table
Highland Park Independent bottlings

Highland-Park

Old Malt Cask, 1987
Collection
 Old malt cask
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,0 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
Cask number
single cask DL 984
Dates
 Distil: 1/04/1987 Bottling: 1/09/2003
Bottle
 306 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 82/100
The nose detects a very perfumed smoke and hints of refined oak.
The palate is rich and oily , with nice touches of sherry.
The finish is dominated by spices. It is warm and soothing.
The first nosing reveals some light hints of heather, associated to some citrus touches. The taste confirms this first impression. Strong malt, partially due to its relatively high alcohol percentage, which helps the palate to appreciate fully all the rich touches of this good whisky. A rather long finis crowns the whole.
79/100
The pleasant nose is somewhere between the sweetness of honey and the acidity of citrus fruits, on a background of wood and smoke. In the palate, a great complexity, sweet and sour, with some hints of sherry on the background. The pleasant finish is warm and lingering, with some spicy touches.
84/100
The nose is rather rich, with hints of honey mixed to a kind of hay smell and a touch of smoke on the background. Somethins like grass juice also perhaps... In the palate, a nice complexity, mixing sweet-salted tastes, mix of muesli and not entirely ripe fruit, sherry hints and a slightly acid touch at the end. A nice finish, between malt and sweet spices with a slight citrus fruit impression and a touch of ripe pear.
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Cask 1989
Collection
 Cask
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 58,4 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 American Oak
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 83/100
This cask strength version of Gordon & MacPhail is remarkable because of the balanced nose and palate. A smooth mix of peat and smoke with sweeter malt hints. I suspect a slight alteration of the taste due to the caramel added... A long and very pleasant finish. Another bottle I do not regret having purchased, even if it is not necessarily easy to get it.
84/100
The nose is marked by slightly acid notes (citrus fruits) probably due to the high alcohol degree, but develops on floral notes which sweetness contrast highly with the first impression. In the palate, the first impression is that all nuances are hidden by the high degree of alcohol. However, all this nuances come back after a few seconds, just to confirm the nose. A lingering and pleasant finish, with malted touches.
79/100
The nose is rather sweet and floral, even if it is marked by the alcohol which provokes a little tingling. In the palate, a wonderful complexity, from the sweetness of honey to acidity of citrus fruit, through a lot of pleasant impression. A long finish, slightly bitter, crowns the whole.
84/100
The nose is rather complex, marked as well by the honey sweetness, the flower delicacy and a slight tingling due to the percentage of alcohol. Some spices too. In the palate, the firs nice impression is a mix of flowers and fruits, with some woody taste (a kind of bitterness) which makes soon room for smoother malty notes. The alcohol is quite present. The finish is sweet, and relatively long, nearly disapearing and coming back after a while...
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Un-chillfiltered collection 1988
Collection
 Un-chillfiltered collection
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 46,0 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Sherry
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 86/100
The colour is old gold. The sweet and aromatic nose reveals malted, vegetal (heather) and vanilla hints.
The palate, rich, full and oily is very nice and confirms the nose.
The elegant finish continue on the malty sweetness, heather, chocolate, toffee and fruits (peach).

(la Maison du Whisky)

All the aromas of the Orkney's moor are concentrated in the inescapable whiskies of Highland Park. The Signatory's un chill filtered collection lets the lover enjoy fully of this wonderful whisky. I really recommend this bottle. The price is not exaggerated for a whisky of this quality.
84/100
An unbelievable perfumed (smoke) sweetness from the very first nosing announces a very great happiness, which indeed is reel from the very first tasting... A very complex and really pleasant whisky.
The second tasting resulted in a higher score as the first one.
88/100
A sweet and rather fragrant nose with clear floral notes. In the palate, the sweetness of the nose is confirmed and the tastes mixes vanilla and cereals in a rather complex whole. The finish is rather long, with sweet and woody hints.
84/100
A very clear nose. Smells of heather, flowers, with nice hints of coconut, bee was and a touch of smoke on the background. The mouth is very complex, with hazelnut, woody and malty notes, and a touch of coffee, moka and some discrete slightly acid hints. A very beautiful finish, rather long and somewhere between chocolate and coffee whiffs.
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Cask Strength Collection 1992, 11 yo
Collection
 Cask strength Collection
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 59,3 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Refill sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 20593
Dates
 Distil: 11/11/1992 Bottling: 12/10/2004
Bottle
 102 of 332 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 86/100
Highland Park Cask strengts Collection
The floral nose is first rather discrete with however some tingling's due to the high percentage of alcohol. A drop of water helps opening the fragrances, and some pleasant honey and heather hints seem suddenly to stream through the mouth, with a kind of smoke screen on the background. In the palate, the first impression is a dominating alcohol feeling, with a superb range of tastes, from a kind of bitterness (from grapefruit zest to unripe walnuts), an impression of dryness first, much more "coloured" after a while, and finishing on nice chocolate notes. But the alcohol percentage harms it definitely. Do not be afraid to add some more water. The finish is lingering and develops between chocolate and some more bitter aromas (is it wood?)
84/100
A remarkably fresh nose with hits of honey and flowers. Great smoothness with however some tingling. This nose announces some nice surprises in the palate.
The mouth is complex and very pleasant with notes of cut grass, flowers and ripe fruit with a light veil of smoke.
Very pleasant finish too, lingering and very perfumed.
After reading the precedent notes. it seems that time and aeration helped to make this aggressiveness disappear.
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Cask Strength Collection 1990, 16 yo
Collection
 Cask strength Collection
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,1 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 1st fill sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 15688
Dates
 Distil: 13/12/1990 Bottling: 12/06/2007
Bottle
 452 of 519 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Highland Park 1990 Cask Strength Collection
A remarkably fresh nose with notes of cut grass, hay, honey and flowers, heather. After a while, some nice ripe fruit notes appear, giving even more body to this very pleasant nose.
In the palate, first impression is a mix of smoothness and acidity. Fruit, green apple and honey with a slow development on cashew nuts. Amazing and remarkable...
The finish is very long, beginning on slightly acid notes, developing soon on a kind of cashew nuts bitterness, contrasting a bit with the nice whole the nose and mouth were offering.
An excellent whisky!
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Provenance: 10 years, Summer distillation
Collection
 Provenance
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Highland Park Provenance 1991
Light in colour, you will find this subtle and dry on the nose. It has a medium weighted body and an immediate sweet palate which is different from what the nose first suggests. It has a finish which is sweet, heathery, honeyed yet quick. It is surprisingly good over ice - sorry!
(note of the producer)
Nose is first quite trifling, but after a while it begins revealing some sweet floral notes. In the palate, sweet but slightly bitter notes give this whisky a relatively complex character, but it does not really provoke great papilla enthusiasm ... The finish is interesting, recalling some floral and sweet (honey) touches. May be the produce is right when he says it is good with some ice...
79/100
Quite a floral nose with hints of fruit and some smoke. This whisky is quite special as the nose is first very discrete but after about one hour it is getting much more expressive. Flowers are clearly present, heather smells, light minty hints.
In the palate, a mix of freshness and a bit of bitterness. Nut, plum and a touch of chocolate. Could have been rounder despite a nice balance. A nice diversity of tastes even if it cannot really be qualified as a complex mouth.
Long finish marked by a nutty chocolate impression.
79/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Scott's Selection 1985
Collection
 Natural Cask Strength
Age
 19 years
Alcohol percentage
 54,2 %
Bottler
 Scott's Selection
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park 1985
A nice fruity nose (exotic fruits, banana) with slightly acid hints (orange) and a touch of spices (pepper).
In the palate, first impression is a kind of acidity, quickly taken over by sweet malty notes and a nice presence of the alcohol. Neither too strong, neither absent. A nice complexity, however dominated by citrus notes.
The finish is lingering and pleasant, somewhere between the sweet malty notes ans clear fruity hints (more like prunes now) and a presence of the alcohol which goes on warming the palate....
84/100.
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Cask Collection, 16 years
Collection
 Cask Collection
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,4 %
Bottler
 Dewar Rattray
Cask
 bourbon
Cask number
single cask 3953
Dates
 Distil: 23-4-1990 Bottling: 10-8-2006
Bottle
 292 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Highland Park Dewar Rattray 16
A very expressive nose with nice floral notes, lots of smoothness but also lots of character. Very complex, a hint of honey, a nint of heather, a hint of smoke, a hinte of pepper. The palate first offers a wonderful mix of freshness and complexity, in a perfect balance. Hints of citrus fruit, red berries and s touch of smoke. Nice spicy notes come and increase the level of this excellent whisky, which is a very model of balance and complexity. The finish is lingering, very pleasant, both spicy and slightly acid. Very fresh too. This is a marvelous bottle.
88/100
The nose is pleasantly marked by floral notes (heather) and nice peppery hints. Very nice complexity. A bit of smoke. Very inviting nose. In the palate a wonderful mix of citrus acidity, honey, a touch of smoke, hints of nuts and lots of pleasure. The finish is long, pleasantly peppered with a touch of very fine wood. A fantastic bottle.
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Adelphi, 24 years
Age
 24 years
Alcohol percentage
 55,8 %
Bottler
 Adelphi
Cask number
single cask 6088
Dates
 Distil: 1981 Bottling: 2006
Bottle
 247 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 88/100
Highland Park Adelphi
A nice floral nose marked by sherry and spices. Very pleasant fruity notes appear after a while. A mix of banana's, peaches or mango's.
In the palate, a very pleasant bitterness, a nice complexity, sherry notes but also fine wood, fruits (plum) and chocolate.
The finish is warm and long, and sherry hints mix with the woody impressions.
88/100
Quite a floral nose with notes of heather and sherry followed by very pleasant fruity hints.
In the palate, very fine dry fruit notes (plum, apricot) and a nice bitterness made from nutty tastes and hints of chocolate.
The finish is specially long and warm, prolonging perfectly the mouth feelings, with its sherry notes and its refined woody hints.
88/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Adelphi Breath of the Isles
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 53,4 %
Bottler
 Adelphi
Cask number
single cask 3203
Dates
 Distil: 1992 Bottling: 2006
Bottle
 309 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park: Breath of the isles
A nice floral and bucolic nose, recalling the summers in the country with its smells of hay and dried flowers.
Smoothness and freshness. The first impression in the palate is rather dry and acid and the complexity of this whisky seem to need some time to develop. But then the first honey notes appear behind this bitterness increased by the alcohol which remains dominating at this stage. But once it is mastered, this whisky develops very nice floral notes and is rather fresh, despite the constant presence of alcohol.
The finish is quite long and fresh, with the same floral hints which were present in the palate
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Murray McDavid Mission 1967
Collection
 Mission
Age
 35 years
Alcohol percentage
 40,1 %
Bottler
 Murray McDavid
Dates
 Distil: 2002 Bottling: 1967
Bottle
 393 of 500 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 85/100
Highland Park 1967 mission
Quite an expressive nose, with very nice floral notes, citrus smells, tangerine, orange juice followed by a developing on exotic fruit, a touch of peat and a light veil of smoke. Certainly not a common nose.
The mouth is first rather bitter and immediately after gets very sour. But this is very short. Rather soon, the palate develops on nice slightly smoky notes, and a touch of woody bitterness. Some fruity impressions too. Plum. The nose was more interesting than the mouth is, and if the nose was characterized by some tinglings I thought due to a high percentage of alcohol, the mouth is somewhat watery.
The finish is more interesting again, even if the mouth was very far from being deceiving. It is lingering and pleasant, dominated by some nutty after tastes. A very nice whisky.
84/100
The nose is amazingly smooth. Subtle aromas of flowers or heather. Nice and discrete spicy notes. A pleasant mix of pepper and vanilla and a touch of very fine wood on the background, Touches of hay.
In the palate, the same great smoothness first, before a slow development on slightly acid fruity hints, then on honey with always this light bitter and very refined touch of walnut.
The finish is lingering, warm and ... friendly. All the smoothness of the mouth is present here too together with this gentle bitterness which gives a nice finishing touch to this whole.
88/100
What a nice nose! Spices and flowers. Heather and hay.
The mouth prolongs the nose. Superb, even if it seems to be rather plain. Honey, some nearly unripe fruit, some very fine wood. A very pleasant mouth, even if it could have been a bit more complex.
The finish is lingering and pleasant. The memory of refined wood associated to floral hints is dominating.
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Single Malts of Scotland, 16 years
Collection
 The Single Malts of Scotland
Age
 16 ans
Taux d'alcool
 46,0 %
Embouteilleur
 The Whisky Exchange
Fût
 Hogshead
Numéro fût
single cask 7059
Dates
 Distill: 29-3-1990 Embout: 15-3-2007
Bouteille
 347 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
liens et cote moyenne
 0/100
Highland Park The Single Malt of Scotland 16
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Scottish Castles, 25 years
Collection
 Scottish Castles
Age
 25 years
Alcohol percentage
 52,8 %
Bottler
 Jack Wieber
Cask number
single cask 6064
Dates
 Distil: 1981 Bottling: 2007
Bottle
 107 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park 25 Jack Wieber
Quite an unpleasant nose where malty notes mix with yeast hints and a kind of dominant acidity. So not such a nice nose...
The palate is much more pleasant than the nose was. Cut grass, fruit (ripe and green apple), some citrus notes. Pleasantly perfumed, the mouth corrects the bad impression left by the nose.
The finish is quite short and the rather smooth fruity hints remain as long as the finish goes.
This bottle deserves certainly another tasting. The bottle has just been opened and previous tastings of samples left a much better impression.
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Cask Collection, 18 years
Collection
 Cask Collection
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 53,5 %
Bottler
 Dewar Rattray
Cask number
single cask 1913
Dates
 Distil: 19-05-1989 Bottling: 15-06-2007
Bottle
 241 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 86/100
Highland Park 18 Dewar Rattray

The nose is a subtle and perfectly balanced mix of honey and flowers. Nice freshness and great smoothness. This seems to be a prelude to a great pleasure.
The first mouth is rather dry but develops quickly to become extremely complex after a while, with alternately liquorice or violet (tastes like Bowmore...), red currant jam, honey, the whole with a very pleasant warmth sensation.
The finish is long and warm. Very smooth, it prolongs perfectly the mouth impression.
84/100
A very fruity nose, with smells of green apple mixed to wax , some hints of paint remover and honey. This nose simply announces a nice complexity with a pleasant mix of smoothness and acidity.
In the palate, the impression is even better. Ripe fruits and green apple, honey with some slightly bitter nutty notes, cashew nut.
Nice finish, lingering and warm, where nutty hints seem to dominate, developing gently on nice moka notes.
88/100

Back to summary table

Highland-Park

15 years
Age
 15 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Alc-hem-ist
Dates
 Distil: 05-1990 Bottling: 07-2005
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park 15 Alchemist
The nose is both fresh and smoky. Smells of heather and an amazing salty and minty freshness recalling the "Fisherman's friend" drops make soon room for a very pleasant smell of green apple.
The mouth is very fresh, with hints of freshly (and sweet) cut grass developing slowly on cashew nut notes and then on ripe fruit. The texture of the mouth is particularly oily.
The finish is very long and pleasantly balanced between nutty notes and chocolate.
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Reserve
Collection
 Reserve
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,4 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 first fill sherry hogshead
Cask number
single cask 5832
Dates
 Distil: 1997 Bottling: 2008
Bottle
 306 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park Reserve 1997
Honey and heather and lots of flowers characterise the very first nose, A great smoothness and malty hints, a touch of mint, acid drop. Very nice complexity, even if the nose itself is rather discrete.
In the palate, a generous mix of floral smoothness and citrus notes give this whisky quite a pleasant taste. Presence of alcohol is obvious but does not really hinder.
The finish is warm and rather long and a touch of acidity seems to emerge by the end.
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

City of Zwolle, selected by Hans Offringa
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 first fill sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 09/491
Dates
 Distil: 13/12/1990 Bottling: 30/9/2009
Bottle
 74 of 306 btls
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Highland Park City or Zwolle
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Reserve Cask 5823
Collection
 Reserve
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,2 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Cask
 Refill sherry hogshead
Cask number
 single cask5823
Dates
 Distil: 06/09/1997 Bottling: 17/11/2010
Particularity
 cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 81/100
Highland Park 1997 reserve
Colour: Mahogany
The nose is clearly marked by sherry, with clear notes of plum jam. A very fruity nose that promises a real sherry monster. A real delight, made of promises of balance and complexity.
After the promise of the nose, I was expecting something sweeter, more gentle. Alcohol seems to be very present even if the nose did really not announce this. Balance announced by the nose is not really there. The mouth is drier and less colourful than I expected, but nonetheless very enjoyable, even if it is noticeably behind the pleasure announced by the nose.
The finish is lingering and also clearly marked by sherry. Some remote notes of coffee seem to appear after a short noticeable alcohol impression.
81/100
Back to summary table
Highland Park: samples

Highland-Park

MacPhail's 30 years
Collection
 The MacPhail's Collection
Age
 30 years
Alcohol percentage
 43,0 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
What a powerful nose. With notes of peppered honey are mixed with vegetal heather hints on a light background veil of smoke.
In the mouth, a very nice mix of honey, some discrete spices and floral notes.
A nice and lingering finish, long and on the same palette than then the mouth and the nose.
84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

38 years, 1966/2005 "For the whiskyfair Limburg"
Age
 38 years
Alcohol percentage
 42,4 %
Bottler
 Official
Dates
 Distil: 1966 Bottling: 2005
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 0/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Reserve (For Netherlands)
Collection
 Reserve
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 57,6 %
Bottler
 Gordon & MacPhail
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 79/100
Quite a strange nose, dominated by hints of yeast trying to hide some floral smells giving this whisky a clear undergrowth smell.
The palate is relatively more interesting, despite its rather woody taste and its discrete notes of cough drop. A clear presence of alcohol and some fruity notes.
The finish is long and warm. This finish is clearly better than the mouth. Just a pity it is impossible to enjoy the finish without having to get the whisky in the mouth.
79/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

1977-2010
Collection
 The Perfect Dram
Age
 33 years
Alcohol percentage
 52,3 %
Bottler
 The Whisky Agency
Cask
 Bourbon
Dates
 Distil: 1975 Bottling: 2010
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 91/100
Colour: Old gold
A very rich nose, first with beautiful floral scents, touches of undergrowth , spices, honey, all in a beautiful balanced and complex. After a few moments more acidic fruity notes appear, fruit jam.
Mouth at first seems less dramatic than was the nose. However, with this wonderfully complex blend of acidity and slight bitterness, hints of nuts. The balance is not broken. Fun is obvious.
The finish is long and the complexity of the mouth remains during long minutes.
91/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

1986, Bourbon Hogshead
Age
 24 years
Alcohol percentage
 50,7 %
Bottler
 Malts of Scotland
Cask
 Bourbon Hogshead
Cask number
single cask 2296
Dates
 Distil: 30-6-1986 Bottling: 02-2011
Bottle
 192 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 90/100
Highland Park MOS 1986

Colour: Straw
The first nose is aggressive, intense itching occur. We must give him a few minutes of aeration and work it out ... Very pretty floral nose and fresh. Extremely fragrant, very pleasant and complex.
The first palate is very pleasant, even if alcohol does not seem perfectly controlled. Complex, it combines notes of chocolate and green fruit and then some interesting notes slightly bitter. Very nice balance between a wide variety of tastes.
The finish is rather long and hot. The bitterness of the mouth perfectly mingles with notes of milk chocolate.
Quite an unexpected whisky but very well made.

90/100
Back to summary table
Not in collection Highland park

Highland-Park

Straight from the Cask 1985
Age
 19 years
Alcohol percentage
 53,9 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 85/100
Highland Park 19 ans
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Cask 91
Age
 10 years
Alcohol percentage
 64,8 %
Bottler
 SMWS
Cask number
single cask 91
Dates
 Distil: 1993 Bottling: 05-2003
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 79/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Bourbon/Grenache Blanc aged in Banyuls casks
Age
 17 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Murray McDavid
Cask
 Banyuls
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park 1989 mmd

Comment by
Johannes Sauer

Colour: Medium golden, a light rosé wine glimmer.
Nose: Very soft and reserved in the beginning - forest herbs (waldmeister, wood berries), green apples and marcipane, later also lavender soap with a very secret smoky note and soft citrus hints. In my book it is not as fat and voluptous as I might expect from a Highland Park, but in this discretion very appealing.
Taste: Very full, sweet and round, surprising for this discreet nose, full bodied malt combines beautifully with this still very clear floral and soft fruity notes. Demarara sugar, later there is nougat praliné, coated by white chocolate.
Finish: Long: The beautiful chocolate – nougat impression goes on and on revealing also exotic spices like cloves, ginger and cimmamon. If you ever wanted to know what “Perfectly balanced finish” means, this is the bottle for you.
Conc.: A great Highland Park which shows its very qualities in the second half.
Date: 3. July 2009
(it’s 16 pts for the rather weak nose (for a 17 yo– but great 20 for this exuberant finish)

 84/100


Back to summary table

Highland-Park

16 years
Age
 16 years
Alcohol percentage
 40 %
Bottler
 Official
links & average quote
 79/100
highland prk 16

Comment by
Johannes Sauer

Colour: Golden brown, dirty gold, very interesting ... the bottle and the very exhuberant liner notes say nothing about any kind of colouring.
Nose: The first impression is very full, sweet and firm, backed by very nice floral notes. Créme brulée. Soft smoke clouds and a very subtle caramel sweetness together with soft hints of lemon peel are promising a great complexity.
Taste: Exactly the same first impression described in the nose chapter. Additional there is dark chocolate combined with forest honey and the smoke now reminds clearly of milk coffee or fudge tablet with mocca taste.
Finish: Evenly full and round, long and sweet. Again surprisingly clear the tasty capuccino notes.
Conc.: A very well crafted dram, for me no great, but very fine whisky. In Germany available in a liter-bottle (traveller’s shop) at a very affordable price for a 16 yo. If you see this bottle get it!
Tasting date: 10/7/2009

 79/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Provenance, summer distillation 1998
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Highland Park Provenance 11

Comment by
Johannes Sauer

Colour: Medium brite straw.
Nose: Colour: Medium brite straw.
Nose: Funny, strange and very expressive: Wet tire gum, rather chemical peat (wood preservative, terpentine) and a nice mix of green grass and herbs. Beautifully balanced between chemical and biological herbal notes. All that backed by soft brown sugar with solid barley.
Taste: Typical Highland Park: Perfectly balanced smoke, sea salt and rock sugar. Demanding and very busy but still also smooth. Dark chocolate with egg nog developing into
Finish: a crescendo of finest bitter herbs, playing with the sweet sugar notes for a good long while.
Conc.: A very fulfilling dram, very worth a try for every Highland Park friend (like me). Easily recognizeable as Highland Park but still standing on its very own feet.

Tasting date: 30/06/2010

 84/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Specially selected for The Nectar Belgium
Collection
 Rare Auld Cask Strength
Age
 39 years
Alcohol percentage
 41,8 %
Bottler
 Duncan Taylor
Cask number
single cask 3460
Bottle
 142 of 183 btls
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 91/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Single Sherry cask 1983
Age
 20 years
Alcohol percentage
 56,8 %
Bottler
 Official
Cask
 Sherry
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 91/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Old Malt Cask 11 years
Age
 11 years
Alcohol percentage
 50 %
Bottler
 Douglas Laing
Cask
 Refill hogshead
Cask number
 5697
Dates
 Distil. 1988 - Bottling 2009
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
see: BT2010
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

21 years old for Travel Retail
Age
 21 years
Alcohol percentage
 47,5 %
Bottler
 Official
links & average quote
 89/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Orange label for LMDW (second edition)
Age
 18 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 15111
Dates
 Distil: 17-9-1991 Bottling: 17-9-2009
Bottle
 453 of 827 btls
Particularity
 (2nd edition )
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 Forum 85/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Orange Label for LMDW , first edition
Collection
 Un-chillfiltered Collection
Age
 No age statement
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 15098
Dates
 Distil: 1991 Bottling: 2008
Particularity
 (first edition)
links & average quote
 Forum 91/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

13 years
Age
 13 years
Alcohol percentage
 57 %
Bottler
 Master of Malt
Dates
 Distil: 1997 Bottling: 2010
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 85/100
Highland Park 13 Master of Malt
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Unchill filtered collection

Collection
 Un-chillfiltered Collection
Age
 17 years
Alcohol percentage
 46 %
Bottler
 Signatory
Cask
 Sherry butt
Cask number
single cask 15098
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered
links & average quote
 87/100
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

24 years old Daily Dram
Collection
 Daily Dram
Age
 24 years
Alcohol percentage
 51,8 %
Bottler
 The Nectar
Dates
 Distil: 1986 Bottling: 2010
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
links & average quote
 Forum 89/100
Highland Park Daily Dram 1984
Back to summary table

Highland-Park

Saint Magnus, 12 years
Age
 12 years
Alcohol percentage
 55 %
Bottler
 Official
Particularity
 Non chillfiltered cask strength
=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros=25 euros
links & average quote
 84/100
Back to summary table

The Isles

Campbeltown map

The Scottish coast is surrounded by isles where whisky is produced, specially on the West coast (Mull, Skye, Arran and Jura) and on the North (Orkney)
The most important island from a whisky point of view is Islay, but this one is considered as a production area on its own.

<< previous distillery << >> next distillery >>

Click on the map for a list of the distilleries of the area, on the title for further information about the Isles area, and if you want to make an "alphabetical journey" through the area, please click on one of the pagode roofs, according to the direction you want to follow