Whiskey Highland Park: reviews

Single malt whiskey "Highland Park" is known for its rich and long history. The first distillery was built on the Orkney Islands in 1798. This whiskey is strongly allocated among similar drinks, and first of all it is explained by the unusual taste obtained due to the unique peat smoking of malt.

History of origin

Whiskey production "Highland Park" began near Kirkwall - the largest city on the Orkney Islands. If you believe the legend, a recipe was invented by one church watchman - Magnus Jonson. The authorities have long guessed about his underground business, because of which constantly visited him with a check. But the cunning guard always cleverly hid his enterprise, thereby remaining unpunished.

Once he learned that his church was going to be searched, and it would not be a routine check. It was necessary to do something, because the church cellar was completely jammed with an illegal drink. Then Magnus transferred his products to the house, covered it with a white cloth, put a lid on the coffin and invited his acquaintances to visit. Thus, he simulated a funeral service and again avoided punishment. At least this time.

But soon luck left an enterprising watchman, and in 1813 Magnus was caught. True, what eventually happened to him, and it is not known. They say he disappeared without a trace, and the profits from the alcohol business fell to the people who arrested him - Robert Pringle and John Robertson.

Brand development

After this, the distillery changed owners many times. And now the company has ceased to be underground, and its first official co-founders in 1818 were John Robertson and his father-in-law, farmer Robert Borwick. And in 1926 Borwick, having bought a relative's share, became the sole owner of the Highland Park brand.

When Borwick died in 1840, the distillery almost ceased to exist, as his son George, to whom she inherited, practically did not develop it. Because of this, the cost of it has dropped dramatically. And the next owner, George's younger brother, was not going to participate in the family business. He was a clergyman, so he decided to sell the distillery. And there were buyers for it.

Stuart & Mackay bought a distillery. She quickly revived the production of Highland Park whiskey, and after a while her high-end product used as basis many famous companies such as Chivas, Ballantines and Dewars. All of them were regular customers of the distillery. But the world fame this whiskey received a little later.

It all started from the day when one seafarer decided to visit the distillery. He liked this drink so much that he decided to take a few boxes with him on a trip. And learned about the distillery "Highland Park" in other countries.

In 1895, William Stewart died, so part of the production was sold to American politician James Grant. He managed the distillery until 1937, until the Highland Distillers Holding, which by that time owned several distilleries, bought it. True, during the war, production had to be stopped, and the premises began to be used for other purposes.

And only in 1954 the distillery smelled of whiskey again. There were even made some work on its expansion against the backdrop of the fact that orders were constantly increasing. And how everything would be fine, but after 15 years the whiskey again began to disappear. The fact is that Highland Distillers' company, having bought one more company Matthew Gloag & Sons, switched to the production of another drink - Famous Grouse. And as a material for blending used whiskey "Highland Park". 10 years of this brand as an independent did not exist. Exit to the forgotten product was only for some wholesalers. But this was enough to be remembered again.

In 1980, the production of Highland Park whiskey increased so much that in just a few months more than 100 boxes were sold. And by 1990, sales had grown several times. The success of this alcoholic drink is largely due to its rich history. Although much depends on the unique way of its production.

Mode of production

There are a lot of features in making this whiskey. Only a small part of the necessary barley is grown independently. The rest of the malt is delivered by sea from other parts of Scotland. And one important requirement for imported malt is that it should not be smoked on peat. After all, for this they have their own minerals, which are collected in April and dried all summer under a layer of heather branches. Of course, peat is not mined by hand, but special equipment allows you to create a form of blocks that is obtained as a result of manual work.

The Highland Park distillery has ample storage space capable of accommodating several hundred tons of barley. Malt immediately does not begin to dry, but first soak it for 48 hours. Then leave it for a week on the floor of the malt house, and only after that start drying.

Dry it in the smoke of peat in an ancient way on the roof of the distillery, which is organized in the form of a chimney. The whole process takes two days, while the temperature should not exceed 60 degrees. During this time malt will lose a small part of its weight. After that, the malt will remain dry until the peat completely burns. The main thing is that the moisture level of the malt does not exceed 25% in the end. This is important, because it depends on this famous scent of whiskey "Highland Park".

After all the procedures, it is necessary to withstand the drink properly. For this, two types of barrels are used: from European and American oak. By the way, the aging of the production of the distillery "Highland Park" lasts from 12 to 40 years. We will give descriptions of some types of whiskey "Highland Park". Reviews of many connoisseurs of this drink will help to give an idea about them.

Highland Park 12 YO

This type of whiskey has a mild flavor and amber color. In the aroma there are honey, fruit and flower shades. This classic whiskey with a smooth and slightly harsh flavor has a touch of nuts, peel of oranges, oak bark and dried fruits.

And in the aftertaste connoisseurs of whiskey "Highland Park" 12 years of aging celebrate nuts and grass.

Highland Park 18 YO

Describing this drink, lovers of it talk about a tender and golden color, about the aroma in which there are heather, smoked and oak tones, an oily and slightly salty taste in which shades of honey, ginger and cinnamon are felt, about a long, dry and slightly spicy Aftertaste.

By the way, whiskey "Highland Park" 18 years of aging is considered the most popular in the whole world.

Highland Park 21 YO

Production of this variety began in 2007, and since that time he has received many positive assessments from well-known experts. This single malt whiskey has the color of dark amber. Its rich aroma includes creamy, fruity and chocolate tones. Not only experts, but also connoisseurs of the drink note its unsurpassed quality.

In taste, biscuit and citrus shades are felt. And in the aftertaste of the Highland Park whiskey, 21 years of smoke and sweet notes are observed.

How do they drink?

Despite the fact that according to tradition whiskey is drunk from rocsov, some connoisseurs of this drink prefer tulip-shaped glasses. It is believed that this is the best way to reveal the taste. And fill the glass should be one-fifth of the amount, before adding ice to it or chilling the beverage itself.