A note from Gerry Tosh:
I wrote in November of last year from deepest darkest Canada in some bar Cadet Wheelock led me astray in (shame on you Wheelock) about Earl Magnus, a high-strength, limited edition Highland Park which followed hot on the footsteps of Hjarta. Earl Magnus was the first of a trilogy; it sold out very quickly and has recently been awarded Gold Best in Class at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.
It is my great privilege to introduce to you the second in the series; Saint Magnus is a vatting bottled at 55% abv. The whisky has been largely matured in Spanish oak casks, of which approximately 20% were first-fill. The youngest whisky in the vatting dates from 1998.
Saint Magnus is one of six saintly Norsemen born in the 11th and 12th centuries when the Orkney Islands belonged to Norway. Saint Magnus was murdered by his treacherous cousin Haakon and was canonized only 20 years later. His influence spread far and wide; more than 20 churches have been dedicated to Saint Magnus. The forename became popular in Orkney, most notably in the case of Magnus Eunson, our man forever associated with the founding of Highland Park distillery in 1798.
The whisky has been created by my mate Max MacFarlane, Whisky Maker extraordinaire, and is bottled at 55%. These are his thoughts on the tasting notes for Saint Magnus:
Appearance: Copper toned honey, clear and bright.
Nose: At natural strength there is terrific intensity with classic dried fruits and honey sweetness. Thereafter glorious notes of cinnamon, dried apple and hints of exotic fruits emerge, followed by a whiff of aromatic smoke.
Palate: Immediately intense and rich, the whisky lingers on the palate emphasizing the perfect balance between sweetness and aromatic smoke.
Finish: Long and gently smoky.
Saint Magnus is available at £85 per bottle and is limited to 11,994 bottles.
For information on The Best Spirit in the World visit www.highlandpark.co.uk
Yours sincerly
Gerry Tosh
Head of Brand Education Whisky Ambassador of the Year
