On Thursday May 11th, Orkney-based distillery Highland Park, unveiled its new Cask Strength No.4 ahead of the distillery’s 225th Anniversary in September.
This iteration is Highland Park in its truest form, it is not diluted nor chill-filtered. This No.4 release packs a punch at 64.3 percent ABV and provides a strong and flavorful taste. You may want to try adding a few drops of water (but no more than 20 percent, according to science). The majority of the blend is made up of first-fill sherry-seasoned European oak barrels, while the remaining ingredients are aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, first-fill sherry-seasoned American oak barrels, first-fill ex-port hogsheads, and a few refill barrels.
“For me, a cask strength whisky really celebrates an individual’s whisky journey, best enjoyed with your own personal level of water and ice added. The peat from our home in Orkney gives the whisky a completely different character with aromatic heather smoke and unexpected contrasts in sweet and smoky flavors.” ~ Highland Park Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion
Cask Strength Release No. 4 begins with tantalizing smells of toasted coconut, pushed by the ex-bourbon barrels, along with crushed lemons and cedarwood; there's also a delicious suggestion of Turkish Delight in the fragrant peat smoke, owing to the influence of the ex-port casks. On the palate, intriguing flavors like tangy pink grapefruit and fragrant rose water are evident. These flavors are expertly balanced by earthier hints of toasted oak and heather-rich peat, and the lengthy finish reveals exotic spices that have been baked in the sun as well as a ribbon of liquorice that runs through the final breath of floral peat smoke.
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 4 will be available in June from specialist whisky retailers and high-end whisky bars. It will be priced at £80.00.
Tasting Notes From Highland Park
Nose: Crushed lemons and cedarwood, along with peat smoke
Taste: Zesty pink grapefruit and fragrant rose water emerge, expertly balanced with toasted oak and heather-rich peat.
Finish: A long finish gives way to sun-baked spices and a ribbon of liquorice
Previous Cask Strength Releases
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 1
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 1 is a single malt Scotch whisky that is bottled at cask strength, meaning that it is not diluted with water to reduce the alcohol content. This results in a whisky that is more flavorful and complex than a whisky that has been diluted.
The whisky is matured in a combination of ex-sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks, which gives it a rich and complex flavor profile. The nose is dominated by notes of sherry, fruit, and smoke, while the palate is full-bodied and flavorful, with notes of chocolate, spice, and peat. The finish is long and lingering, with notes of smoke, fruit, and spice.
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 1 is a great whisky for those who enjoy a bold and flavorful whisky. It is also a great whisky for those who are looking for a whisky that is not diluted with water.
Here are some additional details about Highland Park Cask Strength No. 1:
- Distillery: Highland Park Distillery
- Region: Island Whiskies - Orkney, Scotland
- Age: NAS (no age statement)
- ABV: 63.3%
- Casks: Ex-sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks
- Nose: Sherry, fruit, smoke
- Palate: Full-bodied, flavorful, chocolate, spice, peat
- Finish: Long, lingering, smoke, fruit, spice
If you are looking for a bold and flavorful whisky, Highland Park Cask Strength No. 1 is a great option. It is also a great whisky for those who are looking for a whisky that is not diluted with water.
Buy Highland Park Cask Strength No. 1
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 2
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 2 is a single malt Scotch whisky that is bottled at cask strength, meaning that it is not diluted with water to reduce the alcohol content. This results in a whisky that is more flavorful and complex than a whisky that has been diluted.
The whisky is matured in a combination of sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, along with just a few ex-bourbon casks. This gives it a rich and complex flavor profile. The nose is dominated by notes of summer rose, ripe pear, and fresh coconut gathering on a wave of aromatic peat smoke, followed by a wild harmony of sweet and spicy flavors - poached pear and rich almond cake, a drizzle of cloudy honey and a twist of salty liquorice. There's the suggestion of toasted oak and intriguing notes of orchard fruits, black pepper and sweet aniseed linger, in a satisfyingly long finish.
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 2 is a great whisky for those who enjoy a bold and flavorful whisky. It is also a great whisky for those who are looking for a whisky that is not diluted with water.
Here are some additional details about Highland Park Cask Strength No. 2:
- Distillery: Highland Park Distillery
- Region: Island Whiskies - Orkney, Scotland
- Age: NAS (no age statement)
- ABV: 63.9%
- Casks: Sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, along with just a few ex-bourbon casks
- Nose: Summer rose, ripe pear, fresh coconut, aromatic peat smoke
- Palate: Sweet and spicy, poached pear, rich almond cake, cloudy honey, salty liquorice
- Finish: Long, lingering, toasted oak, orchard fruits, black pepper, sweet aniseed
If you are looking for a bold and flavorful whisky, Highland Park Cask Strength No. 2 is a great option. It is also a great whisky for those who are looking for a whisky that is not diluted with water.
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 3
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 3 is a single malt Scotch whisky that is bottled at cask strength, meaning that it is not diluted with water to reduce the alcohol content. This results in a whisky that is more flavorful and complex than a whisky that has been diluted.
The whisky is matured in a combination of first-fill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, along with a smaller quantity of refill casks for balance and depth. This gives it a rich and complex flavor profile. The nose is dominated by notes of ripe mango, cloudy heather honey and whipped vanilla cream with a hint of aromatic violet. Pink grapefruit zest, freshly-baked sponge cake and a final gust of heathery peat smoke provide a long and distinctive finish.
Highland Park Cask Strength No. 3 is a great whisky for those who enjoy a bold and flavorful whisky. It is also a great whisky for those who are looking for a whisky that is not diluted with water.
Here are some additional details about Highland Park Cask Strength No. 3:
- Distillery: Highland Park Distillery
- Region: Island Whiskies - Orkney, Scotland
- Age: NAS (no age statement)
- ABV: 64.1%
- Casks: First-fill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, along with a smaller quantity of refill casks
- Nose: Ripe mango, cloudy heather honey, whipped vanilla cream, aromatic violet
- Palate: Full-bodied, flavorful, pink grapefruit zest, freshly-baked sponge cake, heathery peat smoke
- Finish: Long, lingering, ripe mango, cloudy heather honey, whipped vanilla cream, aromatic violet
If you are looking for a bold and flavorful whisky, Highland Park Cask Strength No. 3 is a great option. It is also a great whisky for those who are looking for a whisky that is not diluted with water.
Buy Highland Park Cask Strength No. 3
About Highland Park
Highland Park Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. It was founded in 1798, and is known for producing single malt Scotch whisky with a distinctive flavor profile that is influenced by the Orkney Islands' unique climate and environment. The distillery uses a traditional floor malting process, which involves steeping barley in water, allowing it to germinate, and then drying it over peat fires. This gives the whisky a smoky and complex flavor, along with notes of heather, honey, and spice. Highland Park offers a range of different expressions, including 12-year, 18-year, and 25-year old single malt whiskies, as well as limited edition releases and special bottlings. The distillery also has a visitor center and offers tours, tastings, and other experiences for whisky enthusiasts and tourists.
