Highland Park 2003 13 Year Old

An exceptionally powerful cask-strength expression demonstrating Highland Park’s precise balance of refill sherry maturity and Orcadian peat.

At-a-Glance

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)

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.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

Pricing is robust, reflecting the high collector appeal of limited-edition, high-strength releases from well-regarded distilleries.

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. As an exclusive bottling for the Norwegian Malt Whisky Association, the original price was a fixed cost to members and not a standard UK retail RRP.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): N/A (Exclusive release, no current retail pathway).

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Observed hammer prices range from GBP 55.00 – GBP 110.00.

Price Snapshot

Highland Park 2003 Single Cask Price Snapshot (Kaupang & Proxies)

Pricing stratification: The recorded GBP 55.00 hammer price for Cask #5709 is exceptionally low and likely reflects either an early market sale or a condition defect. A more accurate market floor for this specific cask, assuming good condition, is realistically in the GBP 85–GBP 110 range.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Sourcing is difficult due to its exclusivity to the Norwegian market. Liquidity is constrained by the limited outturn of 552 bottles.

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.