Highland Park Triskelion

I've had many different Highland Park Whiskies before, including many of their themed age-statement-free bottles since they offer so many. I enjoyed the standard 12-year and loved the 18-year, but regarding the various age-statement-free expressions, there wasn't much I truly liked, except for 'Twisted Tattoo,' which I actually quite enjoyed. After finishing a bottle of the 18-year, I wanted to try one of the even 'better' releases but couldn't quite decide which one. I heard positive things about 'The Dark' but couldn't find a sample. Then there was 'Triskelion,' which I finally found as a sample. When I first heard of it, it really piqued my interest. Essentially, three master distillers from Highland Park, two of whom are now retired, with over 100 years of combined experience in the whisky industry, collaborated to create this special release. Each selected an extraordinary Highland Park cask style, and then they worked together to create the perfect blend of those. The resulting casks were first-fill Spanish oak sherry casks, first-fill American oak sherry casks, and first-fill bourbon casks. It costs around $200, but do the concept, cask types, and final result justify that price, or is it just another fancy age-statement-free bottle? It swirls nicely in a Norlan glass with its 45.1% ABV, showing a reddish-umber color. Nose: It doesn't hit you immediately but draws you in with subtle yet very pleasant aromas. First, candied orange peel, nice dry spices (cumin, cinnamon), vanilla, then also a bit of molasses and chocolate, and hibiscus. The longer you smell it, the smoother and creamier it becomes. A bit like warm cocoa with a winter spice mix and orange oil. The peat is very much in the background and not really significant. Later, vanilla becomes the dominant aroma on the nose, like freshly made French madeleines with vanilla custard. Palate: The palate takes some time to develop but becomes very pleasing after you let it roll around your tongue for a while. Not too sweet, which I appreciate. It feels a bit young, but not in a negative way. Flavors include melted chocolate, fresh lemon juice, warm spices (almost a bit oriental), cooked plums and also dried plums, strawberries, cloves, and pleasant mature oak. These mixed spices are really nice. Finish: Predominantly vanilla, also slightly acidic and very pleasant oak flavors, apple, and pumpkin seeds, a little bit of smoke. So, here we are. A nice whisky, for sure. The ABV feels appropriate, but that 45.1% is somewhat low, making this look like they used quite young whiskies. The nose is great, the palate is satisfying, and the finish is interesting. The sherry influence is not nearly as strong as what, for example, the 18-year or 16-year deliver. Consequently, it's less smooth. It's definitely good quality you're getting here, but I would not and will not buy a bottle for $200. It's hard to put a price on this one, really. The idea is nice, but ultimately, you're paying for the limited quantity of bottles produced for this one-time special release. If they were to include it in their core range (where I could definitely see it alongside the 18-year), I think it should be priced similarly to the 18-year. At that price, I would buy it. Worth a try if you like Highland Park, but I already paid $20 for this sample. It was worth it, though, but it isn't THE Highland Park bottle I'm looking for yet.

This particular Highland Park bottle, the "Triskelion" expression, has been hard to find. I've seen it at many auctions but was never compelled to purchase it. Its name originates from an interesting collaboration: three whisky makers (Gordon Motion, Max McFarlane, and John Ramsay) joined forces to blend three distinct casks of their selection to create this single malt. It was aged in first-fill sherry seasoned Spanish oak butts, first-fill sherry seasoned American oak casks, and ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads. It's bottled at 45.1% ABV. The nose presents the distillery's characteristic heathery peat. You'll also detect orange peel, lime, and scorched grass. The palate continues with sweetness and citrus notes. Vanilla and a faint lemon zest are present, along with cigar notes. It transitions from sweet to a dry, "papery" profile of burnt grass. The finish is quite ashy, with hints of cigar and an ashtray, plus the scent of new paper. In summary, this was a well-balanced and decent whisky, though not particularly exciting. It offers a pleasant flavor profile, and I can sense an effort to create a crowd-pleasing spirit. The result is a highly enjoyable dram that won't likely surprise many. I've rated it 88 out of 100.

Peat, a nutty aftertaste, sweetness, with a touch of fruity citrus and orange marmalade.

Really tasty!