Highland Park Cask Strength Release No.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"I like my HPs more al natural, but this one's good for sure, if a little rustic and robust indeed". - whiskyfun.com

What initially felt like a one-off in 2020 is now onto its fifth annual release (not yet available in Australia). We've managed to source more of an earlier, now largely sold out edition, Batch No.3. What goes into these NAS bottlings changes a little each year, mainly in terms of the cask regime. While we love the low peat HP style, some found batches one and two lacking in Orkney smoke. So for the third instalment, Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion has opted for a higher proportion of locally peated malt than the previous releases. Bringing together dozens of single casks, it was matured in first-fill and refill sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks, rounding off the hearty peat smoke with zesty layers of fruit and warming spice. It comes bottled at a natural strength of 64.1% and should handle more than a few drops of water.

Other reviews...This brand-new baby that was bottled at rocket fuel strength, just like its predecessor will you say, is ex-first Fill sherry American and European oak. Colour: gold. Nose: it is a meaty, grassy, slightly metallic sherry, which makes it really rustic and robust on the nose. Now at 64% vol., anything will be robust. With water: only few changes, it remains grassy, slightly fermentary, with some ale, walnuts, some raw chocolate, ham… It is less honeyed than last year's C/S. Mouth (neat): sweet and pungent at the same time, with some leather, hay, walnut skins, puréed chestnuts, cured ham, peppery oak… Robust and rustic indeed! Water is absolutely obligatory in this context. With water: there, the fruits are coming out, first bitter oranges, then bitterer apples, plus some triple-sec and always these walnuts, as well as bitterer vegetables, around our good friends the artichokes and eggplants, not to mention Baldrick's turnips. Finish: long, still leathery and a little bittersweet. Some welcome raisins in the aftertaste. Comments: I like my HPs more al natural, but this one's good for sure, if a little rustic and robust indeed. For the hipflask with a skull, bones and an Harley logo. 83 points - whiskyfun.com

...The nose is heavy on the sherry influence, with chocolate covered raisins and prunes, leading into cigar smoke and damp, flower-lined meadow. The palate starts hot, with a handful of seasonings ranging from salt and pepper to brown sugar and spice, like a barbecue dry rub. There's also burnt caramel and walnuts. A lengthy finish starts dry, with ashy fireplace, asphalt, tannic oak, bitter peanut shells, and sea spray, eventually ending on an underlying rich sweetness with dark chocolate and pomegranate molasses. 92 points - distiller.com