Highland Park Helluland 13 Year

Highland Park has been releasing a series of single cask expressions around the world (approximately 50 at the time of writing). Previously I reviewed the Gotham City single cask release for New York City which was a wonderful dram. The Hellulland expression was bottled exclusively for Total Wine merchants; limited to just 510 bottles. Matured for 13 years in Cask no. 6313, a refill sherry puncheon, this dram weighs in at a heavy 61.3% ABV.

BOTTLE INFO

Distiller: Highland Park
Region: Islands
ABV: 61.3%
Outturn: 510 bottles
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask Type: Refill sherry puncheon
Age: 13 Years
Chill Filtered: No
Color Added: No
Color: Deep Copper

TASTING NOTES

Glass for Review: Spiegelau Nosing Glass
Nose: The nose starts off sweet, with a strong influence of strawberry, sour grapes, and tropical fruits. The nose is rather light, and the intensity of the alcohol makes it challenging to pick out very many notes. It takes awhile (10-15mins) for the nose to open up, where you begin to notice more sherry notes. (19/25)
Palate: The palate creeps up on you after such a light nose. You can really notice the influence of the Sherry Puncheon here with an abundance of ripe red fruits. The signature Highland Park comes through on the palate, where you start getting notes of light smoke, sandalwood, and mahogany – that smoke that was completely absent on the nose. As you let the whisky linger on the palate, you get slight notes of brown sugar and gingerbread. (22/25)
Finish: The vibrancy from the palate carries through into the finish. Stewed fruits, brown sugar, cinnamon and spice. The wood and smoky notes are much more prominent in the finish, but not overwhelming (read: not an Islay). The finish lingers for a while, and leaves your mouth a little tingling from the high ABV of this whisky while the oak and fruit nuts tussle in a fair balance. (21/25)
Overall: The nose is deceiving for what I’d consider a well-balanced and vibrant whisky. Dramatically different from the Gotham City I reviewed previously. Ripe fruits are much more pronounced (as I’ve noticed with puncheons), and less toffee and chocolate. A very enjoyable whisky you can sip and savor. (21/25)

Average Price: $200 USD