Highland Park 2003 13 YO Bottled for Viking Line

Highland Park 2003 13 YO Bottled for Viking Line, 63,1 %

Highland Park seem to be flooding the markets in Northern Europe with single cask releases these days. That is a good thing for us, the consumers, in my mind. Today I am reviewing the recently released Highland Park 2003 13 YO Bottled for Viking Line. It was released, and immediately sold out at the Cinderella Whisky Fair.

The Highland Park 2003 13 YO Bottled for Viking Line was distilled on 2003-09-23, matured for 13 years in a refill butt (cask #5734), and then bottled in 2016. The total outturn was 300 bottles.

With an ABV of whopping 63,1 % this refill butt must have been filled at natural strength (around 69-70 % ABV). After all, during maturation the ABV will decrease by 0,5 % to 1 % per year.

Nose: Deep and rich notes of raisins, plums, dates and red grapes. I even pick up a hint of rowanberry. There's also tobacco leaves and worn leather. A touch of honey sweet smoke. It is similar, but also quite different from, the Chris Maile edition for Norway.

Taste: Silky smooth mouthfeel. Big and bold flavours hit the palate straight off the bat. Again big sherry influence, but also grapes, leather and caramel. Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, unsalted peanuts, rich heather honey and fudge.

Finish: Medium long finish. More grapes joined by red berries and a soft honey sweetness. The peat is hardly noticeable on the finish - it just lingers in the background as a spice component.

Comments: Again a wonderful single cask, cask strength release from Highland Park. I might have to track down all the recent releases for the Nordics and Germany. This is lovely stuff.

Score (89/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas