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9th November 2009 |
 This
very rare Highland Park whisky has been
created from eight casks from 1968,
specifically chosen by Max McFarlane for
their exceptional character. All the
casks were refill casks, that is to say
they were previously used to mature
whisky. Seven were hogsheads (circa 250
litre capacity) and one was a butt
(circa 500 litre capacity).When combined
together 1,550 bottles at 45.6% ABV were
created.
Every time a cask is used, its ability
to influence the spirit is diminished.
When laying down a whisky for extended
maturation, such as this 1968 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.
As they used refill casks to create this
vintage, they have allowed the quality
and delicate fragrance of the original
new make spirit to shine through without
being dominated by the aged 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 1968
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 1968 Vintage is a limited release of
only 1,550 bottles, as indicated on the
understated label.
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Highland Park 1968 Tasting Notes
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Released November 2009 this 40 year old
single malt was bottled at a cask
strength of 45.6% ABV and has a RRP of
£2250
-
 Colour:
A delightfully rich, naturally
golden hue with remarkable clarity
and brightness.
- Nose:
At full strength, the 1968 Vintage
is reminiscent of thick, opaque
honey but with attractive notes of
lemongrass, sandalwood and a variety
of aromatic spices.When reduced,
citrus fruit and wood shavings
become immediately apparent,
followed by sweet aromas of rose and
crème caramel.
-
Palate: At natural strength, this expression of Highland
Park has a delicious complexity; the
citrus evident on the nose develops
into dried orange peel whereas the
wood shavings transform into toasted
oak. The aromatic spices are
revealed as ginger and cloves as
well as some camphor. The judicious
addition of water creates a
delicious balance between vanilla
sweetness and delicate spiciness.
-
Finish: A lasting impression of rich spiciness is the legacy
of a single malt that is extremely
long and surprisingly sweet.
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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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