Critics reviews
Dry oloroso sherry, spiced orange tea and crème brûlée. Water brought out dense sherry trifle with dark fruits and cherries.
Palate
Smoky bacon, char grilled pork rib and heavy caramelised roasting tins. With water, more juicy like rhumptof with plum and rhubarb.
Finish
Warm, earthy and ashy.
Comment
The sherry masks more subtle flavours so it feels a little one-dimensional.
Annabel Meikle - Whisky Magazine Issue 123 Nose
Sooty, earthy and oily, coupled with a slight smoked meat note, a hint of wet sherry casks and barbecue sauce.
Palate
Sooty and peppery. Behind the cloud of dustiness lies a hint of drying oak and a very fine sweetness (dark honey) but it's hard to get past the smoke.
Finish
Dry… and then more dryness thrown in for good measure alongside the soot.
Comment
I'm thinking this is the chimney sweep's choice of whisky. Those looking for a unique style of smoke will be pleased, but for me, it lacks that hint of finesse needed to completely raise the roof.
Neil Ridley - Whisky Magazine Issue 123
About this SPIRIT
Highland Park Distillery, Orkney
Highland Park, one of only 2 distilleries in the Orkney Isles, was founded in 1798 by Magnus Euson, and is the world's most northerly distillery. Until it was licensed in 1825 it's production was illicit and Euson was assisted in evading the excisemen by a kinsman who was a Kirk elder and hid the contraband under the pulpit. By the 1880s Highland Park had an established reputation and at one time both the King of Denmark and the Emperor of Russia declared it to be the finest whisky they had ever tasted.
Highland Park has been described as the greatest all-rounder in the world of malt whisky. Its product retains much that is traditional, even original. It has its own floor maltings and peat beds and two traditional peat-fired kilns. Many believe the unique character of Highland Park comes from the local peat beds which have absorbed the salt spray of centuries and which impart a rooty, heathery quality to the whisky. Only a carefully measured amount is used to fire the kiln for each malting. Oak casks are then used for the maturation process. As a single malt, Highland Park matures superbly. In blends, it is said to be a catalyst, bringing to great flavours of the other contributing malts.
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Description
Dark Origins is inspired by the spirit and courageous personality of Highland Park’s infamous founder, Magnus Eunson. This latest addition to the core expressions uses twice as many first fill sherry casks than in the classic Highland Park 12 year old resulting in a naturally darker, richer flavour.
Colour: Rich mahogany
Nose: Sherried spice and ripe bananas combine with toasted hazelnuts and baked apple
Palate: Well-balanced, dry peat at first mellowing out to maraschino cherries, warm dark chocolate entices the palate
Finish: Enduring sweet smoke
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