After
months of waiting, South Africa got its chance to sample Highland Park’s newest
release, Dark Origins, when it launched at the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary
(FoodWineDesign) Fair at Hyde Park Corner on November 6. Attendees will have to
opportunity to purchase the whisky at the Highland Park stand until the
conclusion of the Fair on November 9.
Highland
Park’s new core expression is inspired by the cunning spirit and courageous
personality of its founder, Magnus Eunson. Dark Origins is a stunning,
non-chill filtered single malt with an ABV of 46.8% that uses twice as many
first fill sherry casks than in the classic Highland Park 12 year old. This
results in a naturally darker, richer flavour with sherried spice, a chocolate
twist and the signature sweet smoke fans of the Orcadian elixir have come to
know and love.
Mac
Mabidilala, Edrington Group Brand Manager at RGBC, says, “This new expression
is an exciting addition to the Highland Park core range. While it has its own
distinct personality, it fits in beautifully with the rest of the range,
upholding the commitment to quality and taste that whisky enthusiasts have come
to expect from Highland Park.”
South
Africa’s allocation of this exclusive bottling has just arrived in the country
and will be available at selected outlets in limited numbers. Those attending
the fair will be in the fortunate position to taste a very limited amount of
samples and purchase bottles at the Highland Park stand, where there will also
be a few visual and sensory experience surprises.
“This
is a release that many whisky lovers including myself has waited in anticipation
for some time,” says Candice Baker, brand ambassador at The Edrington Group.
“The floral peaty nature of the spirit, combined with the fruit and spice
contribution of the sherry casks, is sure to be very popular.
Dark
Origins is also unique as the first spirit in the core range that does not
carry an age statement, freeing up the whisky maker to focus on taste alone.
Highland Park has released a number of no-statement whiskies in global travel
retail and the enthusiastic reception of these expressions provided proof that
the market was ready for Dark Origins.
Highland
Park is one of the few distilleries not using distiller’s caramel, which means
that Dark Origins takes its natural colour from the interaction between spirit
and cask. Highland Park prides itself that its casks consistently rate amongst
the best in the industry. The use of twice the number of first-fill
sherry-infused casks imbues the whisky with a naturally darker colour,
supporting the Dark Origins theme and indicating the rich taste drinkers can
expect from the spirit.
Gerry Tosh, global marketing manager, says: “Cask management is so very
crucial to our work at Highland Park. We have strived to raise the bar, working
tirelessly in sourcing the right wood and then working and finessing the
balances to ensure we create a single malt that is rich, warm and enticing in
flavour. Dark Origins sits in the heart of our core range, complimenting the
others perfectly – distinct in itself, but always and forever a classic
Highland Park.”
For more information follow Highland
Park at:
Website: www.highlandpark.co.uk
Twitter: @HighlandPark
Instagram: @highlandparkofficial
Don’t forget:
You have to opportunity to purchase the Dark Origins whisky at the Highland
Park stand until the conclusion of the Sanlam Handmade Contemporary
(FoodWineDesign) Fair on November 9. Also, Let us know what you think of the whisky. We LOVE it!
