Highland Park Heather

Heather (or heather honey) is one of the most common tasting notes in Highland Park whisky. The island of Orkney has no trees so the local peat has abundant heather at its base. It's no surprise the distillery named an expression after it.This new packaging is fairly modest and refreshing. No viking elements, just graphical things and a pink / purple colour scheme that doesn't seem to aim for the classical whisky audience. There's no age statement but we've heard Highland Park Heather ages for around 11 years.Let's see how this compares to the Cask Strength release I had a couple of months ago. 

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Edrington Posts $1.1 Billion In Sales, Led By Macallan 12YO

Led by single malt Scotch label The Macallan, Edrington posted sales of $1.1 billion for its fiscal year end in March. The total marked a 3% decline from the previous year, on lower sales of Macallan’s top-end marques, partially offset … Continue reading → The post Edrington Posts $1.1 Billion In Sales, Led By Macallan 12YO appeared first on Shanken News Daily .

Macbeth Act Two: Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Highland Park…

I'm sure you remember the prestigious Macbeth project, a Shakespeare play translated into whisky by Livingstone Rare and Elixir Distillers. For more background information, check our article on Macbeth: Act One.There are 42 whiskies in six acts, and some time ago Act Two was released, containing eight new bottles. Six of them will be reviewed today. 

Old Orkney, Old Islay, Benrinnes, Mortlach (Decadent Drinks)

Here's our timely review of some of Decadent Drinks ' releases. We start with an Old Orkney and Old Islay, from the new Island series . Then there are two Decadent Drams: a deeply sherried Benrinnes 1997 and a bourbon-influenced Mortlach 2005.  Old Orkney 8 yo 2016 (47%, Decadent Drinks 2026, bourbon + sherry casks) Nose: quite a vegetal start, with musty leaves. Bay leaves and subtle mint. Later it opens up towards dried apricot and raisins, along with some vanilla and yellow apple. Some sea spray, heathery notes and lemon peels. Just a mild sooty note and black pepper in the background. Mouth: richer fruity sweetness, with more dried fruits, hints of charred pineapple and stewed apples. Now more coal smoke as well, as well as burnt herbs and a salty hint. Then honey and earthy touches. Still a lot of leafy notes too. Finish: quite long and quite savoury again, with black peppercorns, salty peat and heather.An easy-going Orkney that offers more complexity than the price would sug

Highland Park Heather

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Edrington Posts $1.1 Billion In Sales, Led By Macallan 12YO

Macbeth Act Two: Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Highland Park…

Old Orkney, Old Islay, Benrinnes, Mortlach (Decadent Drinks)