All the island malts might be described a ‘maritime’ in character, except Isle of Arran, which is as sweet and fruity as a Speyside. Highland Park and Scapa are lightly smoky, Talisker and Ledaig (an expression made at Tobermory Distillery) distinctly so. Tobermory and Jura have no smoke. Read More »
From a tiny distillery in Orkney, Scapa is often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour Highland Park. This 14yo was quite a shortlived bottling -it was introduced by then new owners Chivas Brothers to replace the old 12yo, but was subsequently superseded by the now-familiar 16 year old standard official bottling.
A 21 year old sherry matured whisky from Highland Park, bottled by Signatory for their Cask Strength Collection. Distilled on 13th December 1990, matured in a butt and bottled on 12th June 2012.
A rare and fairly old whisky from Highland Park, bought from a private investor and bottled by Adelphi in 2013. This is from a refill hogshead filled in 1989 and then matured for 23 years.
An explosion of soft citrus fruits, yet spicy and warm, as the lingering wood tones unfold in perfect harmony. A great whisky at a great price for this age.
A 2012 re-release of Highland Park 21 back at its old strength of 47.5% after a few years of languishing at a lower strength due to stock shortages. This has been much sought after in the travel retail sector and it's good to see it back on our shelves again. Absolutely terrific stuff.
This is a bottling that many fans of this underrated distillery still have a soft spot for - the unpretentious old-style Scapa 12yo: an easygoing dram, delightfully honeyed and malty. Replaced by the short-lived, unloved 14yo shortly before owners Allied sold up to Pernod Ricard.
A special bottling for the Friends of the Classic Malts, this is a 12 year-old bottled at the classic Talisker strength of 45.8% and is a definite step up in depth and class from the always-terrific 10 year-old. Spicy, peppery and complex - delicious.
Part of the new 'Elements' series from Isle of Jura, this bottling represents 'oak trees and porous oak casks imbued with the purest air' it says here. Finished in manzanilla sherry casks.
One of a trio of smartly-packaged special finish Isle of Juras: the 'Jura Paps', launched during the Feis Ile 2009 to celebrate the islands eponymous iconic mountains. Mountain of the Sound has been finished in Cabernet Sauvignon casks.
One of a trio of smartly-packaged special finish Isle of Juras: the 'Jura Paps', launched during the Feis Ile 2009 to celebrate the islands eponymous iconic mountains. Mountain of Gold has been finished in Pinot Noir casks.
One of a trio of smartly-packaged special finish Isle of Juras: the 'Jura Paps', launched during the Feis Ile 2009 to celebrate the islands eponymous iconic mountains. Sacred Mountain has been finished in Barolo casks.
Signatory come up with the goods again, this time a 1988 vintage hogshead from the ever-reliable Highland Park. Bottled at full strength and with an enticing full gold colour, this should be excellent.
Another 'secret' release from a distillery on Skye, ho-hum, who on earth could that be?! Glorious colour from 21 years in first fill sherry butts - if you want one of these you'll need to be quick as it's unlikely to be hanging around.
The second entry in Highland Park's Valhalla Collection is a whisky representing the shape-shifting nature of Loki, the trickster. Aged for 15 years and presented in the collection's Viking longship inspired wooden frame, it's a whisky that changes between nose and palate, and shifts around in the glass.
A late 2012 release of Highland Park's excellent 25 year old whisky. A mix of ex-sherry and bourbon cask matured whisky to balance honey with rich fruit, as well as a lick of the distilleries trademark Orcadian peatiness.