Highland Park Leif Eriksson Release
- Streek: Orkney Island
- Distilleerderij: Highland Park
- Leeftijd: 18 jaar
- Inhoud: 70 cl
- Distilled:
- Bottled:
- Bottelaar: Highland Park
- Alc: 54.9%
Highland Park 'Leif Eriksson Release' 2011
Colour: Straw.
Nose: We’re rather more in Speyside than on Orkney at this point, with notes of blood oranges, orange blossom water and fresh garden fruits (mostly pears and gooseberries). Develops more on marshmallows (newly opened pack) and ripe peaches, with only whiffs of wood smoke and a very, very distant smokiness. And, maybe, a little sea air – or maybe not. Some porridge. Rather lighter than the usual Highland Park, reminding me more or something such as, say a blend of young Imperial and Miltonduff (and why not?).
Mouth: Sweet, soft, light and rather delicate, almost whispering, which is really unusual with Highland Park. Some barley sugar, cornflakes, apple juice, touches of honey and vanilla and then a little cinnamon and nutmeg. Takes off after quite a few seconds, becoming pleasantly citrusy and honeyed at the same time. Faint smokiness.
Finish: Medium long, rather malty. Candy sugar and vanilla.
Tasting notes & points by: Serge Valentin - 84 points.
Leif Eriksson
Released in March 2011, Highland Park Leif Eriksson is limited edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky exclusive to global travel retail.
This unique expression celebrates the achievement of the first European traveller to reach America over a thousand years ago. It is wholly matured in bourbon casks and American oak sherry casks. Unusually, there is no European sherry oak influence in this expression of Highland Park; it is all honey sweetness from the peat and a delicious maltiness.
Thought to have been born in Iceland circa AD970, the courageous Eriksson set out from the Orkney Islands north of mainland Scotland at the dawn of the 11th century to make the perilous crossing of the North Atlantic and establish settlements in Labrador and Newfoundland, a feat which earned him the nickname ‘Leif the Lucky’.
Orkney had been associated with the Vikings since the 8th century when fearless Norse explorers sailed in magnificent handcrafted oak longboats to colonise the islands.
Highland Park Leif Eriksson is a tribute to the bravery of the early explorer. It owes its distinctive flavour and colour to Orkney’s unique aromatic peat combined with maturation in American oaks casks from both bourbon and sherry.
Yellow gold in colour, Highland Park Leif Eriksson has a honey-tinged sweetness of orange blossom on the nose with suggestions of vanilla, spicy dried oak, mango and melon. Soft vanilla and sweet barley on the palate with a hint of grape, it has a finish of Muscovado sweetness balanced by wisps of Orcadian peat smoke.
Highland Park Leif Eriksson is bottled at 40% ABV€ 82.99
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