Nye HP`s (laaangt utenfor min prisklasse)

Dear Henrik

As you know, I am committed to informing you of the release of new variants of Highland Park. These two whiskies are very special; they were distilled a long time before I was born, a time of Beatlemania, Malcolm X and Mary Poppins for one and student unrest, Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison and Bullitt for the other. Cue drum roll...

The Highland Park Orcadian Vintage Series launches with the release of the 1964 and 1968 Vintages. Inspired by the myths and legends of Orkney, the series is easily recognizable as it is bottled in bespoke black glass, the manufacture of which is an all but defunct art form; its scarcity reflects the rarity of the whisky. Only a couple of vintages a year will be released.

Orkney was under Viking rule until 1468 and this is reflected in the design; the interior hinged door of the oak box of the 1964 Vintage features an intricate illustration of Viking art in marquetry; it depicts a dragon-like beast around whose leg a smaller animal has firmly clamped its jaws. The original representation of the mythical Great Beast appeared on the metal war vane of an 11th century longship. The whisky is a vatting of two casks, yielding 290 bottles at 42.2%; it has a nose of dried strawberries and shellac, a sweet palate with crushed black pepper and vanilla pod and a rich, long, spicy finish. Highland Park Orcadian Series 1964 Vintage is available at £3,750 per bottle.

The 1968 Vintage is a vatting of eight casks, yielding 1550 bottles at 45.6%; the nose is thick with honey and spice, the palate redolent of dried orange peel and ginger with a long, sweet, spicy finish. The interior hinged door on the box of this expression features a mythical Sea Dragon from a wood carving at the church of Urnes in western Norway. The illustration is a combat motif; a dragon-like creature is shown seizing a lesser beast by the neck. Highland Park Orcadian Series 1968 Vintage is available at £2,250 per bottle.

Both of these releases from the Orcadian Vintage Series are available from specialist retailers globally.


For more information about the Best Spirit in the World, or to purchase an Orcadian Series bottling, visit www.highlandpark.co.uk

Kilchoman 3yo (cask 232 for LMdW)

"Nytt" fra Islay! Er medeier i en tønne fra dette distilleriet....

As you probably know, I wasn’t too enthousiastic about the general release of Kilchoman 3yo. Let’s find out how it compares to the single cask they’ve released for La Maison du Whisky at Whisky Live Paris. It was only sold to people who attended the whisky dinner.

While the regular 3yo was finished in sherry casks, this is the first bourbon version of Kilchoman.



Kilchoman 3yo 2006
(61,1%, OB 2009, cask #232)
Nose: amazingly different. Almost none of the banana / rhubarb smell that is so characteristic of new-make. More iodine this time, much more vanilla as well. A great farminess that was completely absent in the regular release. Big peat of course. Mouth: even bigger peat, now accompanied by smoked fish with a generous pinch of salt. I don’t know many whiskies that are this salty, but it works well. Quite unique. Less pepper than the general release. Not much fruit either, some apple maybe in the aftertaste, but certainly on a very low level. Finish on medicinal notes and peat. The smoke stays active for a very long time.

Now we’re talking! This is more or less what I expected from Kilchoman. Kudos to LMdW for making this cask available and to Whiskysamples for sharing their bottle.

Score: 85/100

ps/ I’ve just found out that this spirit was distilled on my birthday!
Kilde: http://www.whiskynotes.be/

Yamazaki 1990 / 2008 sherry

This Japanese Yamazaki 1990 won a silver medal in the 2008 Malt Maniacs award (best sherry cask). It has an extraordinary, deep brown colour. Yamazaki is part of the Suntory lineup.


Yamazaki 1990 (60%, OB 2008, sherry cask #0N70645, 471 btl.)
Nose: slightly dusty, smokey sherry. Big on cocoa. Chocolate. Intense red fruits (Mon Cherie, strawberry jam). Some aniseed. Quite some wood as well, big in every aspect. More fruity notes and some coffee if you add water. Cigar leafs. Mouth: a bit too strong. With water, it’s more accesible. Lots of spices now, mostly cinnamon and pepper. Some mocha and strawberries. Tobacco. Finish: quite dry, not very long. A bit winey, with big oak influence.

Phenomenal strength. If you remember to add water though, this is a very rewarding dram. I guess it could have been even better with a few extra years of softening, although the wood influence would probably make it undrinkable by then.

Score: 88/100

Kilde: http://www.whiskynotes.be/