Highland Park has unveiled the oldest expression from the Orkney distillery to date: the Highland Park 56 Years Old.
The single malt whisky has been finished in a sherry-seasoned oak cask, drawn from one of 10 casks selected by Gordon Motion in 2008, his first year as master whisky maker. Motion explained: "Our rarest and oldest whiskies are the ultimate expression of Highland Park’s craft. As casks are natural products, and each of them unique, I broadly know what I’ll get from each, but every now and then I find something interesting that just stops me in my tracks and that’s exactly what I experienced with these ten. The second maturation has allowed me to push them even further and I know we’ve created something special."
Speaking on the flavours of the new release, he added: "What excites me most about the 56 whisky is that it has both complexity and vibrancy, even after all these years, the distinctive character of Highland Park’s Orkney heathered peat stands out. There isn’t the intense woodiness that I’d typically expect to taste in a whisky of this age."
Tasting notes supplied by Highland Park highlight florals, heathery peat smoke, orange pell, coriander seeds, and woody spice.
Highland Park has previously released several high-age expressions, including a 54 Years Old. Duncan Taylor also released a Highland Park 54 Years Old last year under its independent bottling line.
The inspiration behind the presentation box for the new 56 Years Old comes from Orkney World Heritage site the Standing Stones of Stenness. It was made through collaboration between master crafter John Galvin and glass designer Michael Rudak, who previously designed the casing for Highland Park's 54 Years Old.
Highland Park 56 Years Old is bottled at 47.1% ABV and has an RRP of £40,000. 170 bottles have been released globally, available via select specialist retailers. For more information, visit www.highlandparkwhisky.com.
