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9th November 2009 |
 This
extremely rare Highland Park whisky has
been created from only two casks,
specifically chosen by Max McFarlane for
their exceptional character. Cask 8737
and 8738 were combined together to
create only 290 bottles at 42.2% ABV.
When laying down a whisky for extended
maturation, such as this 1964 Vintage,
it is important that the cask doesn’t
dominate the spirit. If first fill casks
had been used, the sweetness (an
oak-derived additive quality from the
cask) would have been too strident. Both
the casks used to create this Vintage,
were refill hogsheads which had been
previously used to mature whisky prior
to 1964.
The refill casks used to create this
vintage have allowed the quality and
delicate fragrance of the original new
make spirit to shine through without
being dominated by the wood notes.
The fragrance comes from hand-turned
malt which has been dried over Orkney’s
aromatic heather-based peat. In
addition, the peaceful, drawn out
maturation the whisky has enjoyed in
Orkney’s cool climate has resulted in
remarkable elegance.
The long-term maturation of this 1964
Vintage has allowed a perfect balance to
be achieved. The colour, as with all
bottlings of Highland Park, is entirely
natural; the delicate coppery paleness
of the whisky is down to the judicious
use of refill casks. The strength
(alcohol by volume), like the colour, is
entirely natural.
The Orcadian Vintage Series is easily
recognisable as it is bottled in black
glass. The bottle shape echoes that of
Highland Park 40 year old, slightly
bell-bottomed and with a heavy base.
A silver amulette is set into the glass
indicating that this is a prestigious
variant of Highland Park. The
hand-tooled silver top is a fitting
craftsman’s closure and features Viking
knotwork.
The 1964 Vintage is the rarest
expression of the Orcadian Vintage
Series with only 290 bottles being
released, as indicated on the
understated label.
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Highland Park 1964 Tasting Notes
|
Released November 2009 this 45 year old
single malt was bottled at a cask
strength of 42.2% ABV and has a RRP of
£3750
-
 Colour:
A delightfully rich, russet hue with
exemplary clarity and brightness.
- Nose:
At full strength, the 1964 Vintage
is redolent of toasted oak, dried
strawberries and shellac with a
generous coating of beeswax. When
reduced, toasted toffee and
smouldering bonfire embers come to
the fore, followed by beguiling
notes of gingerbread, sandalwood and
cinnamon bark.
-
Palate: Unreduced, this expression has the delicious
sweetness associated with Highland
Park but combined with a fascinating
spiciness; crushed black pepper,
crème brûlée and toasted vanilla pod
add to the complexity. The addition
of water reintroduces the toasted
oak initially encountered on the
nose accompanied by distinctive
hints of applewood smoked cheddar,
vanilla sponge and paprika.
-
Finish: Rich, long, lingering spiciness completes the
sensational tasting experience of
this venerable single malt.
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Highland Park Orcadian Vintage Series Tasting Notes
& Info
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Where To Buy Highland Park
|
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Select a country for a list
of specialist Whisky shops who delivers
to you:
|
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