Highland Park

Highland Park Full Volume Whisky Review

Just in time for the holidays, Highland Park has released their newest creation – Full Volume. The distillery compares the creation of Full Volume to that of producing music. How’s that? It’s about keeping balance while delivering full, big flavors. Same with music. You want the final mix to sound balanced and, even when played at full volume, without distortion.

The distillery is known for exclusively using ex-sherry casks for maturing whisky. This is where Full Volume makes a left turn. It is created using only ex-bourbon casks. Two hundred barrels and 250 hogsheads, to be exact. The casks were filled in 1999 and the whisky bottled in 2017. Eagle eyed readers will notice the lack of an actual age statement. If this whisky were 18 years old, I think Highland Park would proudly tout that. Just putting that out there for those who care. Age statements don’t mean as much to me as the quality of whisky in the bottle.

The nose on this pale golden whisky is incredible. Bourbon barrel influences of soft vanilla and coconut complement Highland Park’s signature floral and heathery peat character. A bit of light toffee and sweet oak relax in the background. Bottled at 47.2% abv, Full Volume has oily legs for days. Creamy vanilla, lemon tart, and cinnamon toast form most of the flavor profile. Touches of light smoke and leather appear in the background. The finish is medium in length and rather clean in nature, leaving behind lingering hints of lemon custard, light baking spice, and a wisp of smoke.

Full Volume is a delightful deviation from the distillery’s profile of sherry cask maturation. Kudos to Highland Park for bottling this release higher than 40% abv. The blender was after balance and that’s what he achieved here, especially for the $110 retail price. Wonderful stuff! 8.5/10

Thanks to Highland Park for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Highland Park Valkyrie Single Malt Whiskey Review

There's something about the way Highland Park intermingles sherry casks and their signature heather-filled peat that excites me. It's one of my favorite flavor combinations. With their new Valkyrie release, the folks at Highland Park have ramped up the smokiness with the addition of more peated malt. Though Highland Park traditionally use only ex-sherry casks for its whiskies, Valkyrie sees a majority American Oak sherry-seasoned casks and ex-bourbon casks.

The bottle was designed by Danish designer Jim Lynvgild, who turned to Viking mythology as inspiration. Orkney, Highland Park's home, probably has more in common with its Nordic ancestry than it does with its Scottish one. Highland Park has fully embraced the Viking culture over the last several years, even redesigning its core bottles in 2017 to reinforce its Nordic heritage.

The nose here carries the classic HP aromas of sweet malt, dried fruits, heather and some freshly squeezed lemon juice. A touch of orchard fruit pops out of hiding from time to time. Those smoky and fruity notes are alive and well on the palate as well. An initial burst of red fruits lead to spice, dried fruit, figs, heather, and fresh ginger. A moderate wisp of smoke builds. The finish is long, with lingering notes of spiced fruit and light smoke.

Wonderful. Simply wonderful. Cranking up the smoke characteristics over the sherried malt base simply works. I like this NAS offering more than Dark Origins. Valkyrie doesn't come across as vibrant as that other expression, mainly due to its slightly lower abv (it is 45.9% here, by the way), but feels richer and more complex. It reminds me most of the 12-year-old expression with a little more zing. Nicely done! 8.5/10

highlandparkwhisky.com

My Favorite Whiskies of 2015

Spirits-based websites and blogs generally post a Top 10 list or Holiday Gift Guide at the end of the year. I did the same in 2014, but this year I’m changing things up a bit. Reflecting back on the past year, I came up with a listing of whiskies that I not only thoroughly enjoyed, but ones that I found were memorable. These cover both American and Scotch whiskies, regular offerings and limited editions.

Except for the top spot, these are listed in no particular order.

George T. Stagg (2015) Bourbon – Hands down my favorite whiskey of 2015. There’s so much flavor packed into the bottle, yet this whiskey still maintains a bit of nuance. Still king of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and the best bourbon coming out of Buffalo Trace distillery.
Michter’s 10-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon – This one is a close second. An exquisite expression from the folks at Michter’s. While their standard small batch bourbon is solid, this 10-year single barrel offering is leagues ahead.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2015 Bourbon – Jim Rutledge’s last limited edition release. What a great way to say goodbye to this industry giant. Another classic expression from Four Roses.
Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Bourbon – Not the oldest Elijah Craig release, but EC18 is the one that stands as most balanced. This is one outstanding release from Heaven Hill.
Glenfarclas 17-year-old Single Malt – This sherry bomb is brimming with dried fruit, wood smoke and spice. This is also my wife’s favorite whisky, and she doesn’t drink whiskey.
Highland Park 18-year-old Single Malt – Oh man! What a whiskey – luscious dried fruit, malt and heather all play together in near perfect harmony.
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 17-Year-Old Bourbon – I don’t have a formal review, but had a chance to sample this exquisite bourbon over the summer while on the Wild Turkey bus. Flavorful and balanced, especially for such an old Turkey.
George Dickel 9-Year-Old Hand Selected Barrel Tennessee Whisky – While not a new release, this whisky is a staple in my household. It just may be the best whiskey coming out of the Dickel Distillery.
Johnnie Walker Select Casks Rye Cask Finish Blended Scotch Whisky – The newest blend from Johnnie Walker, JW Select Cask Rye Cask Finish takes the best parts of JW and American rye. This is one of the most interesting whiskies I’ve tasted all year.
Pikesville Rye Whiskey – A nice step up in quality from Rittenhouse Rye, Pikesville Rye hits all the right notes at an affordable price.
Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey – Another powerhouse release from Michter’s.
Laphroaig 10-year-old Cask Strength Single Malt – To me, this smoky beast captures the best qualities of the Laphroaig distillery.

The year is not over yet. I’ve got some potentially incredible whiskies waiting to be tasted. Who knows if they’ll make this humble blogger’s list of favorite whiskies of 2016. Until then, Sláinte!

What’s the best whiskey you’ve tasted this year?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: