Highland Park – 21 Year Old 2023 Release (46%)

This is the 2023 release of Highland Park 21 Year Old, an Orkney single malt bottled at 46% ABV. It was put together from 36 casks: ex-bourbon hogsheads, first-fill sherry-seasoned casks of European and American oak, and ex-Rioja casks. All were filled between 1998 and 2001 and hand-selected by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion. The nose combines tropical fruit, toasted almonds, fresh nutmeg and floral peat smoke. On the palate come lemon zest, aromatic fenugreek, honey-caramelised apples, cinnamon and a dusting of cedar-smoked sweet paprika. Woody spices linger in the finish, with a hint of citrus oil in heathery peat smoke.