Highland Park 2004, 18 Year Old, Duncan Taylor "The Octave Premium", 700ml
The Highland Park 2004 Premium Octave cask #5038444 has aged for 18 years in oak casks, followed by a final maturation in an octave cask. This limited release consists of only 88 bottles, each bottled at cask strength, without chill-filtration or added coloring. Distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2023.
The Octave range features whiskies that undergo final maturation in reconstructed ex-sherry octave casks. The increased wood contact in these smaller casks invigorates the spirit, resulting in a spectacular dram.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Elegant and leafy with aromas of a damp forest floor, soft sweet pipe tobacco, and dark chocolate-covered fruits. Hints of fresh leather, balanced by gentle mineral and maritime notes, make it intriguing and enticing.
Palate: Thick, full, and mouth-coating. Not overly sweet, but not bitter either. Meaty with some spice, peppery pencil shavings, and darker fruits like figs and prunes. The chocolate notes transition to milky coffee, all very elegant and refined.
Finish: Good length with lingering earthiness, a whiff of grass smoke and soot. The initial spicy attack on the palate is replaced by a warmer honey tone. Clean and well-balanced, a very rewarding dram.
About Highland Park Distillery: Established in 1798, Highland Park distillery is located in Kirkwall, Orkney. It is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland, known for its lightly peated and subtly smoky single malts. The distillery's unique character is influenced by the salty sea winds and the heather-rich peat of Orkney.