Whisky Focus - Highland Park Unveils 1978 Vintage

Highland Park unveils 1978 Vintage for travel retail.

Highland Park has unveiled its latest limited edition expression, building on the superb quality of its Vintage Collection created exclusively for travel retail.

The sixth release in the popular range, Highland Park 1978 Vintage is a traditionally hand-crafted single malt which bears the hallmark of its Viking heritage, and complements the existing variety of single malts in the collection.

Based in Orkney, Highland Park has drawn from the islands’ associations with Viking travellers in the design of this new expression. The inspiration comes from five unusual Norse woodcarvings topped by mythical creatures with snarling mouths discovered on an archaeological dig in Norway in 1904.

With direct reference to its Viking heritage, the front of the 1978 Vintage presentation box features a beast’s head with bared teeth and wide eyes. The back of the head and neck are covered with a series of birdlike figures intertwined in an elaborate pattern. The original carving is a masterpiece attributed to a craftsman nicknamed ‘the Academician’ which demonstrates the skill of the Viking woodcarvers.

Gerry Tosh, Head of Brand Education at The Edrington Group: The Vikings were the great travellers of their time and their distinctive craftsmanship has survived over the centuries. Orkney, the home of Highland Park, celebrates its Viking heritage and the 1978 Vintage reflects the important role of the brand’s own traditions and history. We continue to adhere to our heritage through the traditional methods of production we have employed for the past 210 years which gives Highland Park its unique character."

The new expression sits alongside the existing range which comprises whiskies from 1998, 1994, 1990, 1973 and now 1978. The differentiation between the expressions has been achieved through subtle variations in the use of first-fill and refill European and American oak casks which determine the character of each whisky.

Steven Sleigh, Area Director Global Travel Retail at The Edrington Group: "The Highland Park 1978 Vintage is another welcome addition to the exclusive travel retail range and further evidence of the appetite for the brand within this channel. Experience has shown us that these limited, travel retail exclusive bottlings offer exceptional quality for both luxury gift buyers and whisky enthusiasts."

The younger vintages in the Vintage Collection are bottled at 40%. However, Max McFarlane, Whisky Maker at Highland Park, has opted for a higher-strength on this expression which is bottled at 47.8% ABV, a reminder of the complexity that Highland Park is able to deliver.
 

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