Highland Park Distillery is one of the giants in the whisky industry and made the island of Orkney famous for it’s whisky, allthough Scapa is also worth a try from the seal island. Today I’m going to review Highland Park 10, very much the entry level dram from the distillery. On the shelves it still sits in it’s old “viking” jacket, which fits Highland Park 10’s nickname: Viking Scars.
Personally I prefer this viking style over the newer more clean designs of the Highland Park 12, 15 and 18. But I know there’s many that prefer the new designs, linking back to a more classical design from days of yore. But that’s not what today’s review will be about, that will be about the liquid inside! In this review Highland Park 10, I will delve deeper into its characteristics and flavors.
As we explore the nuances of the spirit, my review Highland Park 10 will highlight the unique tasting experience that it provides.
Review Highland Park 10: Tasting Notes
Stats:
Age: 10 years old
ABV: 40% (80 proof)
Distillery: Highland Park
Chill-filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Nose:
There’s one thing that always strikes me about the smoky character of Highland Park, and that’s burnt heather. Growing up around moors myself, the smell of heather is very familiar to me and I instantly recognise it here. It pairs beautifully with cooked apples, with a brown sugar and cinnamon dusting. There’s also plenty of vanilla and caramel and just a soft hint of ash.
Palate:
The palate is much more citrus forward than the nose would lead you to believe. There’s both orange and lemon zest aplenty, making this Highland Park 10 quite the zesty dram! Liquorice root tea, a fair amount of freshly baked bread and just a touch of salted liquorice give this whisky a pleasant complexity. The smoky character is displayed in notes of charred oak and peppered roast beef. All-in-all very pleasant.
Finish:
The finish is surprisingly long for such a low ABV dram. While the low ABV makes Highland Park 10 very sippable, it still gives you plenty of time to wallow in its afterglow. Notes of freshly squeezed lemon juice, burnt toast and liquorice root linger beautifully, although I do have to admit that after sometime it turns into popsicle stick notes, which I find rather unpleasant. But it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with another sip.
Food Pairing:
Finally, my review Highland Park 10 captures the essence of what makes whisky so enjoyable.
A glass of Highland Park 10 will go stunningly with some freshly seared cod or any other type of whitefish. That having been said I can also see myself pairing this dram with some salted caramel chocolate or even some candied orange peel (if you’re feeling a bit fancy).
Verdict:
For me personally, this Highland Park 10 beats out the 12 for an entry level dram for the distillery. I find the 10 more outspoken and more complex. For the pricepoint this is an excellent dram to get you started on a journey to discover this Orkney Distillery. It’s approachable yet plenty complex and although more experienced whisky lovers should propably opt for a cask strength Highland Park, this 10 is perfect for beginners!