Highland Park 2003 13 Year Old
75cl / 60.4%
£229.00
- Cask type: Sherry
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Rich aroma with vanilla, nuts, exotic fruits and lemon zest notes
Oily and spicy body with sherry undertones
Long smoky finish
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An exceptionally powerful cask-strength expression demonstrating Highland Park’s precise balance of refill sherry maturity and Orcadian peat.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Highland Park Distillery (OB) / Scotland, Islands (Orkney) |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 13 Years Old / 2003 / 2017 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 59.7% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Single Refill Butt (Cask #5709) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Standard for Single Cask Series, implied) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Standard for Single Cask Series, implied) |
| Cask Strength | Yes (59.7% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 552 bottles |
| Intended channel | Exclusive bottling for the Norwegian Malt Whisky Association (NMWA) - Kaupang |
| Packaging | Single Cask Series (SCS) presentation, individual box detailing cask information. |
| Notes on discrepancies | This refill butt release (59.7%) is distinct from other 2003 vintage single casks, particularly those using first-fill sherry butts, which typically yield richer flavour and higher auction value. |
Historical Context
Highland Park, located in Kirkwall, Orkney, operates as Scotland's most northerly distillery. Since the early 2000s, the distillery has strategically utilized its Single Cask Series (SCS) programme to offer exclusive, high-strength bottlings to select international markets. The 2003 Vintage, Cask #5709, falls into this highly desirable series.
This specific release was designated "Kaupang," bottled exclusively for the Norwegian Malt Whisky Association (NMWA). The name references an ancient Norwegian Viking trading settlement, reinforcing Highland Park's distinct "Viking Soul" marketing narrative.
Bottled at 13 years old, this single cask release showcases the quality of Highland Park’s distillate under active, yet not dominant, maturation conditions. The decision to bottle at this age and high cask strength (59.7% ABV) suggests the liquid achieved its optimum balance of flavour and texture relatively quickly. The 13 Year Old Kaupang edition represents a specific snapshot of the spirit’s rapid development.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
Cask #5709 was a Refill Butt, yielding 552 bottles at 59.7% ABV. The specification of a refill cask is critical. It signifies a maturation strategy that deliberately limits the aggression of the wood influence, ensuring that the defining characteristics of Highland Park—the light Orcadian peat smoke, the heather honey, and the spice—remain at the forefront of the profile. This decision results in a more distillate-driven whisky.
Highland Park 2003 Vintage Single Cask Comparatives (Selected Exclusives)
| Cask # / Recipient | Age (Years) | Cask Type | ABV | Outturn (Bottles) | Relative desirability |
| #5709 (Kaupang / NMWA) | 13 | Refill Butt | 59.7% | 552 | High (Specific market exclusive, distillate-forward) |
| #2115 (HPAS) | 13 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | High (Society exclusive, comparable age) |
| Viking Line Bottling | 13 | Not stated | 63.1% | Not stated | High (Higher strength, similar age/market proximity) |
| #1885 (TWE Exclusive) | 16 | First Fill Sherry Butt | 58.9% | 585 | Very High (Superior age and cask intensity) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
As an exclusive bottling, authentication hinges on verifying the specific Single Cask Series labelling. The bottle must feature the correct vintage (2003), bottling date (2017), cask number (5709), and the precise ABV of 59.7%. Furthermore, the presentation should clearly denote the "Kaupang" designation and the exclusivity for the Norwegian Malt Whisky Association.
The condition threshold requires a high fill level (base of neck or high shoulder) to confirm minimal ullage since bottling in 2017.
Regulatory/terminology notes
Bottled at 59.7% ABV, this expression is definitively Cask Strength, preserving the maximum concentration of flavour compounds, resulting in a rich, oily texture. Like all modern, premium Highland Park single cask releases, it is assumed to be non-chill-filtered and of natural colour.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The Kaupang Cask #5709 presents a nuanced expression of Highland Park, defined by complexity and spice.
Nose: The profile is often described as slightly green or greenish, combined with notes of caramel pudding, heather, and mild honey, indicating a medium influence from the refill sherry.
Palate: The mouthfeel is rich and full-bodied, with bold flavours. It exhibits a distinct spiciness, featuring pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, with some dried fruits present. It may appear slightly "raw or rough" in style, emphasizing the cask strength and distillation character.
Finish: The finish is medium to long, drying slightly, and appearing more earthy, with notes of well-turned soil and lingering cinnamon sticks.
The tasting notes confirm the intention of the refill butt selection: Cask #5709 successfully champions the earthy, spicy, and smoky core distillate of Highland Park, balancing it against the sweetness derived from the cask wood.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Highland Park remains a benchmark for complex, lightly peated, sherry-influenced Island single malts. Its official Single Cask Series confirms its status as a premium brand capable of delivering high-strength, unadulterated spirit.
Sourcing
Target formats must include the Kaupang/NMWA label, cask number 5709, and the 59.7% ABV.
Red flags to avoid center on the low hammer price observed for this cask; buyers must meticulously verify the condition of the bottle, particularly the fill level and seal integrity, to ensure the low result was not due to deterioration.
Condition thresholds dictate that the bottle and its accompanying packaging (if applicable) should be in mint condition, reflecting its relatively recent bottling date (2017). Fill level must be maintained at the base of the neck or higher.
Velocity is medium to high for a collector's exclusive. Margin expectations should be set relative to the more representative proxy auction values (GBP 85+) rather than the recorded anomaly, reflecting the niche market demand for these regional exclusives.
