It’s been three years since Highland Park inaugurated its Cask Power Launch — the primary full-proof launch the distillery had ever put out. We reviewed the second version a 12 months later, and now we’re lastly on to Launch No. 4.
It’s not the identical outdated story, by the way in which: Cask Power No.4 is kind of a novel conflagration, “that includes a mixture of first-fill sherry seasoned European oak casks, ex-bourbon casks, first-fill sherry seasoned American oak casks, first-fill ex-Port hogsheads, and a small amount of refill casks – all hand-selected by Highland Park’s Grasp Whisky Maker Gordon Movement.”
Whew! That’s fairly the combo of barrels. And on high of that, the proof is creeping up — we’re now over 64% abv — so let’s see the place all of this takes us.
Punishingly sizzling on the nostril, this whisky melds the cereal-driven charms of an island single malt with the fireplace of a cask energy launch, successfully masking a few of what lies beneath. Time in glass is important for a few of the booziness to blow off, at which level a bolder sherry be aware comes into clearer focus, extra nutty than citrus-driven, that includes late-arriving notes of oily furnishings polish.
It’s daring and sharp on the palate when tasted at full energy, but in addition chewy and honeyed, which helps to mood a few of the warmth. It’s spicy with gingery baking spices, heat cider, and a curious, rising be aware of dill pickle issues get more and more racy as you expertise the whisky. Water is a professional transfer right here and don’t be shy with it, serving to to coax out much more of the underlying malt and extra normal sweetness, right here showcasing cookie dough and juicy orange oil notes. The extra H2O I add, the extra basic Highland Park character emerges, with a end that vaguely nods on the Port cask affect within the whisky whereas lastly bringing out the light peat high quality that’s at all times been a part of the HP expertise.
It is a whisky that’s without delay basic sufficient to please the Highland Park devoted whereas providing one thing that’s simply totally different sufficient to benefit a spot on the shelf subsequent to your different Orkney-born bottles. If you’ll find it, give it a whirl.
128.6 proof.
A- / $100
Highland Park Cask Power Launch No. 4
$100
