Highland Park Dark Origins celebrates the early days of Magnus Eunson's illicit distilling on Orkney, back before the distillery was even founded in 1798. Magnus worked as a butcher and church official by day, but by night he was a legendary whisky smuggler and distiller outwitting the exciseman.
To honour their hero (the Batman of the Orkney Islands, if you will), Highland Park created a whisky with a suitably 'dark' character. Using 80% first-fill sherry casks (20% refill) - 60% are first-fill European oak, with 20% being first-fill American oak - an exciting, spicy, chocolatey whisky has been produced.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Dusty baking spices and cocoa at first, cinnamon, vanilla, dates. Coffee cream Revels (possibly a couple of the orange ones too), a touch of blackcurrant/liquorice, plus butterscotch and an interplay between milk and dark chocolate.
Sweet, fragrant peat emerges with nutty melted milk chocolate and a little orange alongside some pastries.
Long and sweet, a little dry chocolate, just a hint of that heather smoke, then salivating.
Rounded first-fill Sherry notes come from both the European and American oak casks. This is a great, chocolatey addition of a (teenage) no age statement release.
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Nose and Palate were very much of shoe polish, which although not dominant was notably strong. I suspect that the cuts have been too low in this case.
I'm not as big a fan of smoke and peat as some. Bought the wrong whisky.... It's nicely balanced, though, and not as overpowering as some. Certainly doesn't taste like a hastily doused campfire, as a couple have; nor have a " swampy" effect from overly heavy peat. Still, it's not really to my taste, and i won't be getting another bottle. Did recommend it to some I know who l like heavier peat and smoke. Bound to be a favorite with many... But not me.
I thought this was a great expression. Perhaps a touch, a touch, harsh on the nose, but great otherwise. Thicker mouthfeel than the 12 and maybe even 15. Great sherry character while still maintaining the HP smoke. Big and bold. Doesn't taste as young and alcohol-y to me as some of the reviews that have been posted. I purchased for $70 at my local total wine and feel pretty good about that price. I've seen it going for $90, though, and that might be too steep.
Great whiskey, I like the 12 year old more, but could get use to the dark
It is a shame that the more people that start to enjoy a Scotch, like everything else, it just gets less special. It has become all about the money.... not the CRAFTSMANSHIP that people took pride in. I believe they are trying to get the public to accept NAS as a mystery product that intrigues more than satisfies. I found this Scotch to be good but not for the price. Who knows what's in it but I am sure it won't be long before the flavor profile changes. Anyway, just try it so you can say you did.
