Highland Park

Highland Park 2013 with strong vanilla signature

Stop the presses! We got breaking news here! A Highland Park single malt whisky bottled under its own name. Yes, that is cause for celebration. In recent years we have been spoiled with very good to excellent “Secret Orkney” bottlings that left no mystery around its origins. But now we find a Highland Park in the glass bottled by Cane and Grain. Never had something by this bottler before, so let us get acquainted. Apparently, Cane and Grain is a retailer from Amsterdam.

Highland Park 2013, 10 years old, bottled at 56,2 % abv by Cane and Grain

First things first: This Highland Park was distilled on 18 April 2013 and matured for 10 years. There is a cask number (#4287) and the label mentions a “bourbon barrel finish”. What it was initially matured in, is not stated, maybe also a bourbon barrel? Outturn of 248 bottles. 

Upon Sipping: The colour is close to white wine, so if anything, the cask did not give off a lot of colour to this Highland Park. We expect a very pure pleasure here! We are not disappointed when we stick our nose in the glass. We are greeted by a creamy vanilla and not too much smoke. Only after some breathing do we pick up some mild ashes. But the creaminess is dominant. Some milky cheese makes me thinks this whisky was sold in Alkmaar, not Amsterdam. Or Gouda?

The first sip reveals quite a juicy, fruity note that surprises me. White grapes, lemon for sure, a hint of zest, but more to the middle of the palate you pick up strong vanilla flavours. When we get to the finish, vanilla drenched smoke and ashes make for a warming exit. 

Word to the Wise: This Highland Park suffers a bit from being a one-dimensional vanilla whisky. If you are willing to explore within these parameters, you will find some nice surprises in the smoke and delicate fruitiness. Cane and Grain selected a very decent cask. 

Score: 81 points