Highland Park 24 Year Old 1977 Signatory Vintage
70cl / 56.8%
£429.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Coloring: No
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An exceptional, cask-strength example of 1970s Highland Park, captured by a celebrated independent bottler.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Highland Park / Signatory Vintage / Scotland, Island (Orkney) |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 24 Years Old / Distilled 1977 / Bottled 2001 or 2002 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 56.8% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Single Refill Butt (e.g., Cask #3793 or #8798) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Standard Signatory Vintage policy) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Standard Signatory Vintage policy) |
| Cask Strength | Yes |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 618 bottles (Cask #3793 or #8798) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retailer / Independent Bottling Collection (Cask Strength Collection) |
| Packaging | Traditional Signatory Vintage labeling, often in presentation box/tube |
| Notes on discrepancies | Multiple 1977 Signatory releases exist. This profile is focused on the 24YO Refill Butt at 56.8% ABV. Other variants include a 25YO Sherry Butt Cask Strength. |
Historical Context
The 1977 vintage Highland Park distillate is particularly well-regarded for achieving a quintessential balance of the distillery’s key characteristics: the faint influence of Orcadian maritime air, the gentle heathery peat, and the malted backbone. This specific expression was bottled in the early 2000s, capitalizing on over two decades of slow, undisturbed maturation.
The bottling house, Signatory Vintage, played a crucial role. Signatory advocates for the bottling of whiskies at natural cask strength, uncolored, and without chill filtration. For a long-aged malt like this, adhering to non-chill filtration ensures that the oils and esters responsible for mouthfeel and flavour depth are retained, offering a richer, more textural experience than standard official bottlings of the era.
The decision to mature this cask in a refill butt, rather than a first-fill cask, is indicative of a strategy to emphasize the spirit's character. After 24 years, a refill cask provides a supporting, not dominating, wood influence, which allows the complexity of the underlying 1977 Highland Park distillate to shine.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
This single cask bottling, typically numbered such as Cask #3793 or #8798, was drawn from a Refill Butt. The precise strength of 56.8% ABV confirms its status as a Cask Strength release within Signatory’s specialized collection. The detailed labeling documents the total outturn, limited to 618 bottles from this single cask, underscoring its scarcity.
Documented variants
Multiple Signatory Vintage bottlings exist from the 1977 vintage of Highland Park, necessitating careful identification. The profile provided focuses on the highly concentrated 24 Year Old Refill Butt at 56.8% ABV. A related, and highly sought-after, alternative is the 25 Year Old Cask Strength drawn from Sherry Butt #3794, which yielded 676 bottles and features a heavier sherry profile. A lower-strength 21 Year Old 1977 vintage also exists at 43% ABV.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Age | Cask Type | Outturn | Bottled Year | Relative desirability |
| 56.8% | 24 Years | Refill Butt (e.g., Cask 3793/8798) | 618 bottles | 2001/2002 | High (Distillate focus, excellent balance) |
| Cask Strength | 25 Years | Sherry Butt (e.g., Cask 3794) | 676 bottles | 2002 | Very High (Sherry influence at high strength) |
| 43% | 21 Years | Oak Cask (e.g., Cask 9617005) | 462 bottles | 1998 | Moderate (Reduced strength, less complex) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
Labels and Cask Details: Signatory Vintage provides meticulous detail on its labels, which should explicitly state the Cask Number, Vintage Year (1977), Bottling Year (2001/2002), and the individual bottle number out of the 618 total outturn.
Presentation: These bottles are typically housed in a presentation box or metal tube. The condition and presence of this outer packaging are necessary for realizing the highest market value.
Fill Level and Sediment: Since this is a Non-Chill-Filtered spirit, the presence of minor sediment is possible but not detrimental. A high fill level is expected and confirms long-term storage integrity.
Regulatory/terminology notes
The policies of Natural Colour and Non-Chill-Filtered are central to Signatory Vintage's identity. The high Cask Strength of 56.8% ABV ensures the preservation of volatile aromatic compounds and flavour density.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The long maturation period has produced an elegant and rich flavour profile that showcases the quality of the 1977 Highland Park distillate.
Nose: A rich and full-bodied opening presenting dark fruits, integrated honeyed malt, and the complexity of polished oak. The unmistakable subtle smoky peat, characteristic of Highland Park, underlies these notes.
Palate: Medium to long on the palate, exhibiting a rich and textured profile. Flavours of spiced toffee and raisins are prominent, balanced by soft oak presence and a creamy texture. The gentle peat smoke provides depth and structure.
Finish: Long, warming, and noted for its elegance. The conclusion is defined by the harmonious balance achieved between the underlying sweetness and the subtle smoke.
With water: Due to the high ABV, adding water is beneficial. Dilution is reported to temper the alcoholic edge, allowing the malt’s honeyed core and delicate floral notes to emerge, resulting in a more complex and elegant tasting experience.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
The price reflects the scarcity and critically acclaimed profile of long-aged, cask-strength Highland Park, particularly from the highly-regarded 1970s vintages.
Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. (Estimated GBP 100-150 in the early 2000s).
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): GBP 429.00 - GBP 699.95. This variance represents the premium applied by specialist retailers.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): GBP 350.00 - GBP 500.00.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| Retail (Specialist UK) | Current | 24YO, 56.8%, Cask 3793 | GBP 429.00 | Specialist price |
| Retail (General UK) | Current | 24YO, 56.8%, Cask 8798 | GBP 699.95 | High-end retail pricing |
Pricing stratification: Prices are rigidly dictated by the vintage, cask integrity, and bottling strength. This refill butt offers a preferred profile for enthusiasts who value distillate purity over overt sherry influence.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Low liquidity, as bottles are consumed or absorbed into permanent collections. Sourcing is limited to specialist auctions and private sales.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Highland Park is renowned for its Norse heritage and balanced, mildly peated single malts, matured on the Orkney Islands.2 Signatory Vintage is esteemed for its dedication to bottling rare casks at full, uncompromised strength and character.
Sourcing
Target formats/eras
Secure the 1977 vintage Cask Strength bottling (56.8% ABV), ensuring the Cask Number aligns with the known limited release records.
Red flags to avoid
Variants bottled at 43% ABV from this vintage trade at a significantly lower value. The cask number and ABV must be rigorously confirmed.
Condition thresholds
Pristine external condition, including the presentation tube or box, is necessary for securing premium pricing. Fill levels should be high.
Margin/velocity expectations
High margin, low velocity. A key acquisition for any specialist inventory due to the rarity of long-aged Cask Strength Highland Park.
