{"product_id":"highland-park-harald-travel-retail-exclusive-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-2013-70cl","title":"Highland Park Harald Travel Retail Exclusive Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2013) 70cl","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHighland Park Harald Travel Retail Exclusive Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2013) 70cl\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased for the European Travel Retail market, Harald is the third of six non-age statement expressions (that went up in price from one to six) in the Warrior series from Highland Park. Harald Fairhair (we love how most Vikings could also be Mr. Men) was the Norwegian king who established the Orkney earldom, resulting in the special connection that Highland Park loves to use in the marketing of its whiskies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWinner of 5 spirit awards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"awardsContainer\" class=\"expandContainer expander-box__container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"expanderContent expander-box__content\"\u003e\n\u003cimg width=\"60\" height=\"60\" src=\"https:\/\/www.masterofmalt.com\/images\/dnp\/Awards\/Level\/The-Spirits-Business-Gold-Medal-120x120.png\" alt=\"Gold\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"awardDetails expander-box__content__award award\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__type\"\u003eGold\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__name\"\u003eHighlands \u0026amp; Islands NAS - 2014\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__body\"\u003eThe Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"expanderContent expander-box__content\"\u003e\n\u003cimg width=\"60\" height=\"60\" src=\"https:\/\/www.masterofmalt.com\/images\/dnp\/Awards\/Level\/The-Spirits-Business-Gold-Medal-120x120.png\" alt=\"Gold\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"awardDetails expander-box__content__award award\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__type\"\u003eGold\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__name\"\u003eHighlands \u0026amp; Islands Special Editions - 2013\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__body\"\u003eThe Scotch Whisky Masters (The Spirits Business)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"expanderContent expander-box__content\"\u003e\n\u003cimg width=\"60\" height=\"60\" src=\"https:\/\/www.masterofmalt.com\/images\/dnp\/Awards\/Level\/International-Spirits-Challenge-Silver-Medal-120x120.png\" alt=\"Silver\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"awardDetails expander-box__content__award award\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__type\"\u003eSilver\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__name\"\u003eDistillers' Single Malts between 13 and 20 years old - 2014\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__body\"\u003eInternational Spirits Challenge\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"expanderContent expander-box__content\"\u003e\n\u003cimg width=\"60\" height=\"60\" src=\"https:\/\/www.masterofmalt.com\/images\/dnp\/Awards\/Level\/IWSC-Silver-Outstanding-Medal-120x120.png\" alt=\"Silver Outstanding\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"awardDetails expander-box__content__award award\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__type\"\u003eSilver Outstanding\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__name\"\u003eScotch Single Malt - Island - 2013\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__body\"\u003eInternational Wine \u0026amp; Spirit Competition\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"expanderContent expander-box__content\"\u003e\n\u003cimg width=\"60\" height=\"60\" src=\"https:\/\/www.masterofmalt.com\/images\/dnp\/Awards\/Level\/IWSC-Silver-Medal-120x120.png\" alt=\"Silver\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"awardDetails expander-box__content__award award\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__type\"\u003eSilver\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__name\"\u003eScotch Single Malt - Island - 2014\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__body\"\u003eInternational Wine \u0026amp; Spirit Competition\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"award__body\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose: \u003c\/strong\u003eThere’s an instant swirl of caramel in the vapours followed by gentle wood smoke, orange peel, cut apples, malt and oak spice – all in that order. After a little time it develops quite a briny smell to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste: \u003c\/strong\u003eThe smell and taste of oranges really kick this flavour profile off, with a very smooth and syrupy texture coating the mouth. That syrup has lots of sweet flavours to it too: think butterscotch, strawberries, vanilla, caramel (again), malt and then the oak really sets in towards the end, whilst the smoke seems to have taken a place on the back burner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish: \u003c\/strong\u003eMost of the sweet flavours fade away fairly quickly here but there’s a surprise return rasp of the heathery peat smoke and a double dose of gingery and peppery oak spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Highland Park\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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 in flavour terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other signature of Highland Park comes later in the process with maturation. The regime has been 100% Sherry casks since 2004, with a mix of European and American oak (as well as refill) being used. These add a layer of richness to the lightly smoky, fragrant and fruity character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/befca4c85812ddc0580c482a7bbbcc54.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/bc9f62e09ad7289edca9764a55f62d05.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/489bf7ce80e26b91bb50674fdfb96c07.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/media.scotchwhisky.com\/images\/media\/f6e5aa32ec230a136c4349148ad793fc.jpg\" alt=\"Image\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe origins of distilleries are often, as they should be, obscured by the clouds of half-truth and myth. Such is the case with Highland Park. Was it founded by famed priest turned smuggler Magnus Eunson, or by farmer David Robertson in 1798? The distillery’s ornate wrought ironwork gate certainly attests to the 1798 story.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWas it always called Highland Park or originally was it known as Rosebank, then Kirkwall and only becoming Highland Park later?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever the slight mystery over its origins, it is accepted that it wasn’t until the late 19th century that Kirkwall’s then only distillery found its feet properly in the 1870s under the ownership of first William Stuart [who owned Miltonduff] and from 1885 with his business partner James Grant (previously the manager of The Glenlivet) who took full control in 1895. It was Grant who expanded the distillery twice and built up a strong relationship with Robertson \u0026amp; Baxter (R\u0026amp;B).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHighland Distillers (who had shares in R\u0026amp;B) took full control in 1937 and Highland Park is now part of the Edrington Group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt first appeared as single malt in the late 1970s, as an eight-year-old, but the packaging was revamped in the 1980s (and repeatedly ever since) when the 12- and 18-year-old expressions were introduced. It soon built up a strong, even cult, following with the range expanding continually. As well as a core range with age statements, various series have been released themed around Orcadian history and Norse gods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40% ABV\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e70cl\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Highland Park","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52791394697554,"sku":"HPHARALD","price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/9737\/9666\/files\/HighlandParkHaraldTravelRetailExclusiveHighlandSingleMaltScotchWhisky_2013_70cl1.jpg?v=1771958334","url":"https:\/\/whiskysituation.co.uk\/products\/highland-park-harald-travel-retail-exclusive-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-2013-70cl","provider":"Whisky Situation","version":"1.0","type":"link"}