THAT HIGHLAND PARK!

 HIGHLAND PARK - TRISKELION
SPECIAL EDITION WHISKY | 70cl | 45.1% ABV

Highland Park has never been shy about its supposed Viking heritage, and their bottlings lean into that mythology with renewed force.

Highland Park Triskelion is named after the triangular shape that represents wisdom and inspiration, used in the Norse / Viking symbolism. Generally speaking, it is a symbol of interlocking legs, horns (specific to Norse mythology), or spirals, exhibiting rotational symmetry - meaning you can rotate it a set degree to see the same image. The symbol’s geographic and temporal range is extraordinary, showing up as early as the European neolithic age (c. 4500 BCE) in Malta, to Newgrange in Ireland (c. 3200 BCE), to Ancient Greek pottery and straight through Roman, Medieval, and Modern periods.

Translated from Greek, the word 'triskelion' means ‘three-legged’. The Horn Triskelion symbolizes Odin: to obtain the mead of poetry (skáldskaparmjöðr) he bargained three nights with the giantess Gunnlöð for three sips of the mead. However, with each sip he drank a whole horn. Since the three horns he drank contained the whole of the mead, Odin thus got all of it and fled in the shape of an eagle.The horns’ names were Óðrœrir, Boðn and Són. These three horns contained the mead since the time when the dwarves Fjalar and Galar killed a wise man called Kvasir created from the spittle of Æsir and Vanir. There were no questions Kvasir could not answer. The two dwarves killed him, mixed his blood with honey and poured the beverage into Óðrœrir, Boðn and Són. In Norse Viking mythology the mead of poetry is a symbol of wisdom and poetical inspiration. According to the Prose Edda, whoever drinks it becomes a skald or scholar. An extremely set of unique circumstances, even if mythological.

As for the whisky, this is a very special edition created, for the first and only time, by three legendary Highland Park Whisky Makers – Gordon Motion, Max McFarlane and John Ramsay. Three principal cask types – first-fill sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts, first-fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and first-fill bourbon barrels and hogsheads – were hand selected and combined to explore the influence of wood and cask seasoning on the flavour and character of Highland Park Single Malt Scoth Whisky. A small quantity of refill casks was also added to provided a degree of softness to the whisky’s final flavour.

Bottled at 45.1%, Triskelion is straw coloured, thick, complex and full-bodied, revealing delicious notes of Seville oranges, sultanas, raisins and sweet apricots with hints of vanilla-laden crème brûlée and cloudy heather honey. A suggestion of crushed coriander seed provides aromatic warmth and Highland Park's signature light peat smoke unites each layer of flavour. That mouthfeel is insane - creamy, heavy, coating, and oily. The finish is slightly dry (but not astringent), creamy and lasting with sweet wood fire and citrus zest.

This vibrant union of rich fruit, creamy sweetness and aromatic spice is as chockfull of character as its three makers.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£126.95
Series / Description	Triskelion Special Edition
Year Bottled	2019
Alcohol ABV	45.1 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Wood Type	Bourbon & Sherry Oak
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Original Box
Bottler	Distillery
Country Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Dumpy
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

HIGHLAND PARK - SINGLE MALT 15-YEAR-OLD WHISKY
VIKING HEART | 70cl | 44% | 2021

Highland Park makes a big deal of its Viking heritage, even though the last Vikings on the Scottish island of Orkney, where its whisky is made, disappeared long before the distillery opened in 1798. Whether or not it reminds you of medieval times and Norse mythology, it’s a delicious, if pricey, whisky.

This Highland Park 15 Year Old hit the market in 2021 as Viking Heart. It uses sherry seasoned casks predominantly, including European and American oak casks and comes  without colouring or chill-filtration.

This expression comes in off-white decanters, which gives it a special appearance. What people seem to have talked about more than the return of the whisky itself is the choice of bottle. Not satisfied with simply falling in line with the core range’s chunky glass bottle emblazoned with the lion and serpent imagery, that design has instead been embossed onto a ceramic decanter. The Orcadians have partnered with Wade Ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent, to produce a lead-free porcelain decanter, glazed inside and out, to go back to their roots and “rewind a century or two [to when] our whisky would have been stored in earthenware vessels”.

Viking Heart is a peated malt, but the peat on Orkney comes largely from decomposed heather, so the smoky notes in the whisky are much more delicate those of the briny peat bombs for which Islay is famous. Also, Orkney’s consistently cold and damp climate allows for less interaction between the whisky and wood, slowing down the aging process. The unobtrusive peat and slow maturation combine to really let the sherry influence shine through, and shine it does.

The resulting expression is beautifully balanced, with lots of fruit and vanilla notes evolving into a gentle dry smokiness on the finish. A slightly higher proof (it’s bottled at 44% ABV) might benefit it by giving the sweet notes a bit more backbone, but there’s not much to complain about here. Water or ice are certainly not needed, although the whisky is flavourful enough to stand up to both.

Nose: This is all about warming autumnal dessert type smells up front. Think Crème brûlée. Bread and butter pudding. Butter scotch. There’s some slight orchard fruit and with all that sweetness it’s more like toffee apples. A Cadbury’s Crunchie comes to mind too due to a big toasty honeycomb flavour and some gentle milk chocolate flavours. And of course – as a Highland Park – there’s a little heather honey and peat.

Palate: It’s a soft start with a delicate and pretty oily texture – it slips right over the tongue. Toffee and vanilla sweetness arrive up top and then the signature HP heathery peat makes a real appearance and it brings a peaty heat along with it. Those soft and sweet desserts are back with apple strudel springing to mind courtesy of a combo of almonds, apple, and cinnamon, which have all been laced with custard.

Finish: A slight black peppery heat prickles on the way down and lingers for a little while but afterwards there are little aftertastes of fruity zest like tart blackberries, blackcurrants, and damsons. There’s a cinnamon note too which – if I was getting romantic about it – reminds me of the final lick of the spoon after your apple strudel as you retrieve the last vestiges and crumbs from the plate.

Overall: If one was expecting more of a sherry-rich, dark fruit-led experience, it wasn’t delivered; instead it brought lighter fruits and more vanilla than expected, though still very much in the dessert category. What is unexpected is the texture. It is quite oily and silky around the mouth, without being syrupy or cloying, and then the 44% ABV and cask influences provide a black peppery spice that stops it from being a solely sickly sweet venture.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£102.95
Series/Description	Single Malt
Age	15 YO
Alcohol ABV	44 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Wood Type	American & European Oak
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Original Box
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Embossed
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

HIGHLAND PARK: THE OCTAVE OLOROSO SHERRY MATURED
SINGLE CASK | 2008 | 14-YEAR-OLD WHISKY | 70CL | 54.3%

The Highland Park Octave cask NO: 5036613 has aged for 14 years in oak casks, then spent the final 3 months in a sherry octave cask. This release of only 87 bottles is bottled in 2022 at cask strength, non chill-filtered with natural colour.

For many years, Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited has experimented in the use of differing cask sizes for the maturation of single malt Scotch whiskies. This research stemmed from the simple premises that there is more interaction between the wood and spirit over a short period of time in a small cask than in a large cask, allowing for a faster melding of wood, air and alcohol.

To great delight, the spirit that resulted from this method of maturation demonstrated a depth of quality missing from a larger cask over a similar period of storage. It had become smoother, more balanced and was bursting with character, With its rough edges removed, the taste profile was changed dramatically, becoming akin to a whisky of a much more mature nature or vintage. It was polished, bright and sparkling with intensity.

Duncan Taylor Scotch whisky Limited presented the Octave cask range, the culmination of many years spent refining this unique maturation process. The spirit in this bottle is an exclusive example of a good whisky taken beyond all expectations to become rich, complex, and wise beyond its years. It has been 'Octave Invigorated'

Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright gold.

Palate: Honey, orange juice, eucalyptus, green apples, waxy.

Finish: Luscious with sherry, citrus bursts, sugared almonds, sweet earthiness.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£134.98
Series / Description	Octave - Oloroso Sherry Matured
Vintage	2008
Year Bottled	2023
Age	14 year old
Alcohol ABV	54.3 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	Oloroso Octave
Cask Number	5036613
Single Cask	Yes
Number Bottled	87
Packaging	Original Box
Bottler	Duncan Taylor
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

HIGHLAND PARK - WHITLAW CHAPTER 7
Single Cask 8 YO Whisky |70cl | 52.8%

Here we have a Whitlaw aged for its full term in a red wine barrel. Whitlaw is Highland Park's specially distilled spirit for blenders and independent bottlers. With its vibrant colour and striking notes, this dram is a crowd-pleaser for Orkney malt lovers.

In 2013, one Selim Evin made the bold decision to leave a successful business behind and pursue his true calling. He founded Chapter 7, an independent bottler that combined his passion for whisky with his love for literature. The name "Chapter 7" was inspired by the seven ages of man from Shakespeare's works. It symbolises the stages of life that whisky goes through, each stage telling a different story.

CHAPTER 7: INDIE BOTTLER OF SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

A measure of whisky is a story. It speaks of the distillery that produced it, the cask that matured it, and the experience of the people who selected it. A whisky can have the youthful exuberance of a Jane Austin character, the resonance of an Alfred Tennyson poem and the surprise finish of an Agatha Christy novel. Chapter 7 uses whisky to write an anthology, and every edition is a new chapter.

Chapter 7 Whisky is an Independent Bottler. They don’t make whisky, we discover it. They find exceptional casks that mature extraordinary whiskies. A cask of whisky is a living, breathing, thing. Air moves in and out of the cask. The whisky’s flavour evolves and changes as it matures in the oak. Ageing adds character. And they find the best characters to bottle. Selim's curiosity, commitment to quality, and pursuit of unique whiskies shine through all his whiskies.

No two casks are the same. Even whiskies distilled from the same distillery on the same day, are unique. They have their own stories to tell.

A single cask takes the stage in the Monologue Series from Chapter 7 Whisky. A Monologue whisky is a unique expression. It tells the story of the distillery that produced the whisky and the cask where it matured. There will never be a repeat performance; when all the bottles are sold there will never be any more. They usually bottle their Monologue whiskies at cask strength. Sometimes they discover a younger malt that reveals itself at a lower strength.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£89.95
Series/Description	Whitlaw Chapter 7 Single Cask #177
Vintage	2006
Year Bottled	2022
Age	8 year old
Alcohol ABV	52.8 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	Wine
Cask Number	177
Single Cask	Yes
Number Bottled	314
Packaging	Original Box
Bottler	Chapter 7
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Dumpy
Bottle Size	70cl

HIGHLAND PARK-ORKNEY ISLANDS SINGLE MALT
OLD BOTTLING 12 YO WHISKY 70 CL | 40%

A peat fire burns at the heart of Highland Park, an Orcadian peat fire to be precise. This is significant not just in retention of heritage, but also in terms of flavour.

Peat is made up from semi-decomposed vegetation laid down over thousands of years. That vegetation differs across Scotland depending on climatic condition all these millennia ago. When the peat is dried and then burned, the phenols (smoky aromas) released will have different aromas generated by this vegetation. Mainland peat is smokier because of there being more lignin from trees; Islay’s peat appears to have more marine vegetation and contains more creosol (picked up as tar); while Orcadian peat is composed entirely of sphagnum moss and heather. The result, once again, is a different aromatic spectrum, lightly smoky, but significantly more fragrant… heathery even.

The peat is burned in the distillery’s own kiln and the resulting heavily smoky malt makes up 20% of the barley used for each mash. The remainder, unpeated, comes from the mainland.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£187.5
Series / Description	Orkney Islands Single Malt (Old Bottling)
Year Bottled	1990's
Age	12 year old
Alcohol ABV	40 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Wood Type	Bourbon & Sherry Oak
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Cardboard Tube
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

HIGHLAND PARK - 2022 SINGLE MALT 25 YO 70cl | 46%

There is an honesty about Highland Park. It is a whisky, which exudes balance and complexity in every glass. It is not about fashion, trends or bandwagons, but instead about consistency and the drive for quality. Highland Park is made today with the same enduring belief and integrity, to the same exacting standards as it always has been. This philosophy accounts for the appeal of Highland Park, which is now respected by whisky lovers as one of the greatest single malts in the world. This appreciation is based on an unbroken tradition of whisky-making stretching back at Highland Park to 1798.

The Highland Park 25 year old single malt Scotch Whisky 2022 Release has been created from just 20 casks – a glorious mix of first-fill sherry seasoned European oak hogsheads, first-fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and virgin (unseasoned) American oak hogsheads, carefully hand selected and married together by the Highland Park Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion to bring out a 700ml 46% ABV range of bottles.

Laid down and matured safely within the 19 dunnage and 4 racking warehouse at The Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney & filtered at 6 - 9 degrees Celsius to bring out key flavours.

Rich and golden with warm hints of copper, this 25 Year Old is mature and full bodied with a vibrant sweetness with notes of warm vanilla, buttery fudge and heather honey, overlaid by soft dried fruits. Expect sweet oak-smoked coconut, honeyed violets, warm woody spices, lychees and Seville oranges, aniseed, crushed rosemary and aromatic peat smoke. Its long and smooth finish leaves hints of heathery peat smoke and a whisper of salty sea spray lingering on the palate.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£569.95
Series/Description	2022 Release Single Malt
Year Bottled	2022
Age	25 year old
Alcohol ABV	46 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Wood Type	Various Cask Wood
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Special Packaging
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Embossed
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

NOSE: (without water) fruity, rounded, floral, apricots, ripe peaches. At first, this whisky is really gentle. It doesn't shout, it whispers. Vanilla sponge cake (delicious!). Now, there is also this subjective sensation you get out of it which is to do with sweetness. Here, it is beautifully polished, unlike the velvety kind of sweetness you get from a lot of other whiskies, if that makes sense. There is also an immature alcohol kick previously found in a few rums. With water, it becomes richer in the vanilla department, pizza crust (funnily enough), bergamot black tea leaves. 

Though this is a vatting of fewer than 20 casks including sherry seasoned European oak casks, combined with first-fill Bourbon casks and refill casks, hand selected by Gordon Motion and Laid down and matured within the 19 dunnage and 4 racking warehouse at The Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney, the whisky, in a holistic appraisal, doesn’t justify the price.

PALATE: Explosion of dried fruits (raisins). It needed water to really open up into fruitiness and vanilla, as well as revealing a noticeable tobacco note.

FINISH: A little bit drying with just a hint of peat. Medium length. After adding water you get a vanilla cake here as well.

OVERALL: Nothing is out of place here. Very nice and smooth. A beautiful experience, but it's not value for money.

HIGHLAND PARK - TWISTED TATTOO
Single Malt Whisky | 16 YO | 46.7% | 70cl

Highland Park 16 Year Twisted Tattoo Whisky is a rich single malt whisky with layers of sweet vanilla, sun-ripened peaches, summer berries and full-bodied red wine. You’ll also experience generous layers of heather-rich peat smoke.

Highland Park 16 Year Twisted Tattoo Whisky is the result of a unique marriage of different cask types. First-fill casks are used to impart deep complexity and richness, while refill casks give this award-winning whisky its characteristics of spicy oakiness. The result is a beautifully balanced whisky with contemporary character, much loved by whisky connoisseurs.

This 16 YO is a single malt whisky which marries two single malt whiskies together. Single malt from 153 oak casks seasoned with Spanish rioja wine and single malt from 70 first-fill bourbon casks were combined. Danish tattoo artist Colin Dale designed the image for the label and packaging.

Telling stories on skin can be traced back over thousands of years to ancient tribal traditions and remains a vital part of our cultural heritage today. Tattoos tell the world who we are, without saying a word. As unique as the DNA of the skin they decorate, they reflect both an independent attitude and a common bond - standing apart, yet part of a tribe.

In 922AD, Ibn Fadlan, an Arabian envoy from Baghdad, encountered a tribe of Viking traders on the Volga River. He described them as tattooed with patterns on trees and figures from head to toe. Thousands of miles from their Scandinavian home, our Viking ancestors stood proudly apart, just as Highland Park does today.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£149.95
Series/Description	Twisted Tattoo Single Malt
Year Bottled	2019
Age	16 year old
Alcohol ABV	46.7 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Wood Type	Wine
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Original Box
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

  INVERGORDON OLD PARTICULAR
SINGLE REFILL SHERRY BUTT #16274
2002 | 19 YO WHISKY 70cl | 51.5%

SINGLE GRAIN WHISKY FROM DOUGLAS LAING 

Grain distilling has long been a speciality of central Scotland. Distillers there had access to a wider selection of grains, meaning there was a different character from the earliest days. A larger market on their doorstep meant that bigger distilleries were built, while the development of trade with England – mainly for spirit to be rectified into gin – resulted in the adoption of new distillation technology, most significantly continuous stills. With most blending houses, bottling facilities, and distribution networks also based close to the central belt, it seemed unnecessary to build a grain plant elsewhere.

Discovering one in the far north-east of Scotland therefore comes as a bit of a surprise. The town of Invergordon however specialises in confounding people’s expectations of what the Highlands are about.

It was established as an ‘improved’ town by local landowner William Gordon at the start of the 18th century when the surrounding land was drained and turned over to the cultivation of arable crops. By the end of the century it was already being flagged up as an ideal situation for “a manufacturing village”. Part of its attraction was its deep water port which allowed rapid (at that time) links to the south.

The locality was already home to many malt distilleries – it sits between Dalmore and Glenmorangie – and the combination of ready access to cereal crops and its port made it an ideal site for a grain distillery. The timing was also perfect as this was also the start of the great North American Scotch boom.

In 1959, Invergordon Distillers was founded and the distillery started operations in 1961. Four years later the Ben Wyvis single malt distillery started up. This closed in 1977 (the Ben Wyvis stills are now at Glengyle, itself set up by industry legend Frank McHardy who started his career at Invergordon).

Invergordon Distillers went though a series of owners before being absorbed into Whyte & Mackay in 1993. A 10-year-old single grain, The Invergordon, was launched in 1990 and was targeted specifically at the female market. Though well-regarded it was withdrawn in the beginning of the new millennium.

Single Cask Whiskies are a unique snapshot of a distillery’s output, from a single distillation, and matured in a single cask. Every single cask is a unique expression that will differ in style and character from standard distillery bottlings. A typical cask will yield between 150 and 600 bottles, depending on the size of the cask, and the age of the Whisky. They are highly sought after by Whisky enthusiasts, and when they are gone, they are gone...

This tremendous single-cask 2002 vintage 19-year-old Invergordon single-grain whisky was bottled without colouring or chill filtration by Douglas Laing in autumn 2022 for their Old Particular series. This 19-year-old Invergordon 2002 vintage came from Cask DL16274, a refill sherry butt that turned out an impressive 684 bottles at 51.5%, roughly equivalent to the old 90 imperial proof.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Creamy vanilla, honeyed granola, and delicate spice.

Palate: Crisp apples with buttery notes of popcorn. Caramel, sweet porridge, and fruity sponge cake balance warming layers of pepper.

Finish: Vanilla cream, burnt sugar, and more patisserie sweetness, mellow oak with hints of milky, spiced chai.

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DISTILLERY	INVERGORDON	£74.95
Series/ Description	Old Particular Single Refill Sherry Butt 16274
Vintage	2002
Year Bottled	2022
Age	19 year old
Alcohol ABV	51.5 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	Refill Sherry Butt
Cask Number	16274
Single Cask	Yes
Number Bottled	684
Packaging	Cardboard Tube
Bottler	Douglas Laing Co
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

 HIGHLAND PARK’S SPONSORHIP OF ESQUIRE SINGLE CASK
Cask # 4450 | 585 bottles | Cask Strength | 60.3% ABV | 70 cl

Highland Park has become the official whisky sponsor of Esquire Townhouse with Breitling, the prestigious annual event hosted by Esquire. Esquire Townhouse is an award-winning luxury brand experience featuring a compelling programme of live celebrity interviews, panel debates and masterclasses spanning fashion, culture, food & drink, design and travel.

To celebrate the partnership, Highland Park and Esquire have collaborated to create the Highland Park Esquire Single Cask. The limited-edition single malt whisky is the first-ever single cask from Highland Park to be released in collaboration with a UK media house and will be served throughout the weekend.

Taking place between 17-19 October at Carlton House Terrace, St James’s, Martin Markvardsen, Highland Park’s global brand ambassador, hosted a series of workshops where guests were given the opportunity to learn all about the award winning brand, before indulging in some delicious whisky and food pairings.

              

A collaboration between Highland Park and UK media house Esquire, this single cask expression was distilled in 2003 and matured for 15 years in a first fill American oak butt (cask # 4450). It is one of 585 bottles, bottled at a natural cask strength of 60.3% ABV, 70 cl.

This on-request Highland Park is an interesting whisky.  It’s a bit more complex compared to the 12-year, and a little richer.  The question is whether it offers enough to justify a major premium over the 12-year-old expression.  For that money, ~£200, one may rather pick up the excellent Highland Park 18-year-old.  Still, what’s in the bottle is pretty good.

The unique expression, which has notes of heather-honey and aromatic smoky peat, is freely available online.

DISTILLERY	HIGHLAND PARK	£189.85
Series/Description	Esquire Exclusive Single Cask
Vintage	2003
Year Bottled	2019
Age	15 year old
Alcohol ABV	60.3 %
Cask Strength	Yes
Cask Wood Type	American Oak
Cask Number	4450
Single Cask	Yes
Number Bottled	585
Packaging	Hessian Bag
Bottler	Distillery
Country of Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard

 

JW BLACK LABEL ORIGIN SERIES

 the COMPRESSED Black Label Origin SERIES 

Johnnie Walker Black Label dates back to the late 19th century when grocer John Walker & Sons of Kilmarnock, a whisky blender and vendor of repute, introduced his own blend in 1850, marking his debut in the burgeoning and lucrative alcohol marketplace. 

Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the Johnnie Walker brand is a legacy left by John "Johnnie" Walker after he started to sell whisky in his grocer's shop in Kilmarnock. The brand became popular, but after John Walker's death, it was his son Alexander ‘Alec’ Walker, and then grandsons George and Alexander Walker II who were largely responsible for establishing the whisky as a favoured brand. Interestingly, none of these brands was called Scotch whisky; they were listed by region of production.

Under British Prime Minister Henry J Temple, Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone ’s Spirits Act of 1860 legalised the blending of grain whiskies with malt whiskies by distillers and ushered in the modern era of what is known as blended Scotch whisky. Surprisingly, the Johnnie Walker brands of whisky did not use the term Scotch till as late as 1939.

Andrew Usher, a brewer and distiller of Edinburgh, Scotland, was the first in the industry to capitalise on blending malt and grain whiskies starting officially in 1860, producing a more accessible whisky that was lighter and sweeter in character, making it much more marketable to a wider audience, followed by the Walkers and other grocers officially in 1863, three years after the distillers. In 1865, ‘Alec’ Alexander Walker, son of John created Johnnie Walker's first commercial blend and called it Old Highland Whisky, before registering it as such in 1867.

The three year gap proved to be a blessing in disguise. Alec realised that increased storage of the blended whisky in wooden barrels improved overall quality and taste immeasurably. That was why he gave some of his casks five years to mature in and registered his 'Old Highland' in 1867 as a 5-year-old blended whisky. The next was his 9-year-old Special Old Highland followed by his grand coup, the 12-year-old deluxe Extra Special Old Highland whisky. 

Alexander Walker had introduced the brand's signature square bottle in 1860. This meant an increase in shelf-top visibility, more bottles fitting the same space and fewer broken bottles. The other identifying characteristic of the Johnnie Walker bottle was- and still is- the angular label, which allowed text to be made larger and more visible. The primary labels were all bronze and gold; an additional label had made its way onto the clearly visible neck and it was the colour of these virtual necklaces that were the defining factor.

From 1906 to 1909, Alec's sons George and Alexander II expanded the line and had three blended whiskies in the market, The Old Highland 5 Year Old (YO) ; the Special Old Highland 9YO and the Extra Special Old Highland 12 YO. These three brands had the standard Johnnie Walker labels, the only difference being the colour of their neck labels, White, Red and Black respectively. They were already being referred to in public by these colours. In 1909, the brands were officially named Johnnie Walker White, Red and Black Labels, with the first two having put on an extra year in maturity, at six and ten years respectively. The main labels had been changed to match their publicly-known names.

There are many differences in the presentation of the Johnnie Walker colour-based brand names of the bottles of the 1910s and of today . In the 1910s, the rectangular label at 24 degrees was smaller and worded in a markedly different fashion, including the name. Age statements weren't always visible. The colour was NOT mentioned on the main label, but on the smaller label on the front face just below the neck, as seen on the images at certain auction sites: The quality of the glass bottles, their tops, the labels on each bottle and the printing thereon are obviously far superior today. The Striding Man can be seen embossed on the bottles marketed today, a departure from the norm set in the late 1950s of placing him on a label.

In 1906, they were recognised as the 5-year-old  Old Highland, 9-year-old Special Old Highland, and the 12-year-old Extra Special Old Highland. These had white, red, and black labels respectively, and were popularly known by their colour. The main labels also changed in colour. Then in 1909, the White and Red went up in age by one year each, with the Black at its majestic twelve years of age. The Black grew rapidly to reach the top 12 YOs, right up to 1939, when Chivas Regal 12 YO joined the uppermost ranks. The competitors in the 12-year category then were Grand Old Parr, Dewar’s, Phipson’s Black Dog and Buchanan’s Deluxe. All these luxury whiskies were blends of over 30 single malts and three single grain whiskies, bottled at 75 Proof (42.8% ABV).

While Red Label would lose its age statement and White Label disappear altogether, Black Label is still a 12-year-old blend – though it did go through a phase without an age statement. Its prestige status was trumped with the launch of the super swanky Blue Label in the late 1980s, but Black Label has never lost its cache. Across the world today, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is still a recognised currency and symbol of excellence.

The Islay, Highlands and Speyside Origin whiskies are all blended malts, while the Lowlands Origin expression is a blended Scotch whisky, combining malt with grain whisky from Cameronbridge. I have already written about this practice; apparently it won't be repeated.

All expressions only feature whiskies from their particular regions, while the packaging highlights ‘hero’ distilleries, including Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Cardhu and Clynelish. All are bottled at 42% ABV, with an RRP of £35/€40 per one-litre bottle, way in excess of the prices in India of ₹ 2,000 (£ 19.35 per 750 ml, 42% ABV).

The range launched first to global travel retail in July 2019, with the Lowlands and Speyside Origin expressions released to ‘selected markets’, including India, in October. The whole range was rolled out globally in 2020.

According to George Harper, who led the creation of the series under the guidance of master blender Jim Beveridge, the range aimed to show off the regions that contribute to Johnnie Walker Black Label, which, after all, is a blend of nearly 35 single malt and five single grain whiskies.

The series focussed on fresh fruits (Speyside, prime brand Cardhu), rich fruits (Highlands, prime brand Clynelish), creaminess (Lowlands, prime brand Glenkinchie) and smoke (Islay, prime brand Caol Ila). The idea was to pull the whisky apart and really focus in on those four flavours, the ones people talk about within Black Label. It’s many different distilleries that contribute to these flavours, requiring Diageo to focus on these nominated flavours and work to match distilleries that might have similar – though unique – flavour profiles. Hence the ‘hero’ distilleries.

The Islay Origin expression uses 100% refill casks to avoid ‘too much woodiness', while the Highlands Origin expression features ex-European oak and ex-Sherry casks. Highland malts work well with European oak; they have complexity and richness.

The Highlands Origin expression presented the ‘biggest challenge’ when the brief came in because of the diversity of the region. For the Lowlands Origin expression, ex-Bourbon casks are used for their ‘sweet, vanilla, toffee’ characteristics, while the Speyside Origin whisky is aged in refills and first-fill Bourbon casks. the slightly higher ABV (compared to Black Label) helps when it comes to using the whiskies in cocktails. In the case of these bottles, the base ABV is 42%.

Diageo declined to quantify the ‘limited edition’ tag on the bottles, stating only that the range will not be repeated. The launch of the range came as Johnnie Walker prepared to celebrate its bicentenary in 2020, with Diageo investing £150 million in a new brand home in Edinburgh, as well as upgraded visitor facilities at Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish and Glenkinchie.

Johnnie Walker Islay Origin Bottling 

Released as part of the Johnnie Walker Black Label Origin series, this here is the Islay Origin expression! It marries a blend of Islay malts, including the likes of Caol Ila and Lagavulin. The whisky is designed to be just as delicious in dram form as it is in a Highball, and this particular expression works wonders when paired with ginger ale.

In representing Islay, the simplest and most straightforward route has obviously been chosen, a whisky replete with smoke and maritime air that pushes on the two most characteristic aspects without conceding much else.

Nose: as expected, reveals a peaty, marine soul, with barbecue smoke and salt. The smoke is actually quite light, leaving plenty of room for fruity notes with lemon zest and a touch of spice.

Palate: The feel in the mouth becomes more fleshy and driven, very ashy, with the marine soul acting as a counterbalance along with citrus and clove. The smoke tends to prevail, offering very little evolution.

Finish: Moderately long, of used ashtray, salt and orange.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Lowland Origin Bottling

The limited-edition boxes are accompanied by a map of Scotland indicating the whiskey’s region, as well as trivia about it. Bottled at 42% strength, this 100cl bottle is generally available for £48-50.

Before you sip it, the aroma fills you with anticipation–a bouquet of toffee and vanilla with a pinch of fruity and peat tang. As for the taste, the Lowlands is a nuanced concoction wherein the sharpness of fermented grain is seamlessly bound with the sweetness of vanilla and honey. Without turning saccharine, the velvety vanilla and caramelised sugar intertwine with a hint of spice–cinnamon and star anise lending a punch, with cardamom and nutmeg in the backdrop. It has been made using single malts from distilleries in Glenkinchie and Cameronbridge.

While it is highly unlikely, there is the possibility of addition of non-Diageo-owned malt whisky from Bladnoch and Daftmill.

Colour: honey.

Nose: It’s a bit hot with a semi-coarse texture. But they go away the longer the whisky sits in the glass. I get scents of honey, toffee, some sort of apple-flavoured candy with apricots and marzipan. At the end are lasting scents of butterscotch and caramel.

Palate: A bit of chocolate raisins and prunes which are coated by a pepperiness. There’s that caramelised apple flavour again, only the caramel is bolder and more layered. A treat on the palate with creamy vanilla, butterscotch, very smooth and sweet, then some wood spiciness with pepper and even a little chilli. Rich and round.

Finish: Vanilla, quite short.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Highland Origin Bottling

Of the four Johnnie Walker Black Label Origin Series bottlings, the hardest one to get right is the Highland because of the sheer variety of styles in the region, from Clynelish Distillery to Dalwhinnie to Blair Athol to Glen Ord to Teaninich among others. Teaninich is one of the larger distilleries in Diageo’s portfolio but without much recognition.

A lot of expansion has taken place there. The end result is an expected annual capacity of nearly 10 million litres which is a phenomenal amount for a distillery that remains largely unknown. There is talk of a separate distillery appearing on the extensive site to further increase production. It’s Diageo’s policy to let every distillery have its own release, if not with a proper distillery label than as part of the Flora & Fauna range.

Clynelish has that waxy quality that many are addicted to and it is certainly present. Perhaps not so much in the independent releases. The distillery has an ability, an umami ability to produce something tasty that unites many. It is far from simplistic. So many complex layers on the nose and palate.

The Highland Origin is made for people looking to explore Scotch whiskies with a rich and dark fruitiness and red berry and stone fruit notes. It is crafted exclusively from Highland’s single malts, with Clynelish and Teaninich whisky at its core. The malt whiskies have been blended well, but the discerning nose and plate will recognise the individual characteristics.

On the nose: At the start one gets an aroma of sweet, rich/dried fruit notes (fruit cake), waxy and soft spice notes. Quite fragrant with fruit and a greenness. Notes of cut hay and chamomile, hints of wood resins and potpourri with a little winter spice and a gentle citric acidity.

In the mouth: Mainly aged in European oak ex-sherry casks. On tasting one gets rich flavour of dried fruits, slight warm peppery spice. Fruit cake, marmalade and fresh wine notes, takes on some tobacco with time. Very fruity, with a winey tang to it like a Cognac.

Finish: Marzipan and dried apricot. Some notes of laurel leaves, olive oil, orange zest and rice. A touch of nutmeg, but mainly pepper, a bit nutty maybe pecan.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin Blended Malt

Released as part of the Johnnie Walker Black Label Origins Series, which uses whiskies from one Scotch whisky region, to capture the primary flavour characteristics of that particular area. This is for people who want to explore sweet and light Scotch whisky with hints of cut green apples and fresh orchard fruit. It has been crafted with whiskies exclusively from the Speyside region of Scotland, with Cardhu single malts and Glendullan whisky at its heart. Though there is a surfeit of whiskies to choose from, like Knockando and Glenallachie, Diageo has stopped at a Blended Scotch.

Colour: Tawny

Nose: Fruity & inviting

Palate: Vibrant and fruity on the palate, more orchard fruit show up, apples, pears and cherries with some cloves. A hint of dark chocolate & coconut

Finish: Warm spices, cinnamon, cloves and lingering apples. Short to medium, very fresh, oak wood! Really enjoyable, above expectations!

Overall: Pretty good - nice colour & a very gentle nose. A "blend of malts" from Speyside; The whole deal is surprisingly refreshing; a gentle fruity, sweet aroma, with again, a fruit bowl in the taste, finishing with a gentle vanilla oaky mouth. No nasty harsh kick. Yes, it’s a 12 year old JW Black. But it’s different and well marketed. As good as the Green, without that coffee smoky hint. Its worth getting your hands on one.

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