FOR RELEASE: November 6th 2009
FIRST FLOW OF ORCADIAN VINTAGES FROM
THE CREATORS OF THE BEST SPIRIT IN THE WORLD
HIGHLAND PARK RELEASES 1964 AND 1968 PREMIUM EDITIONS
Highland Park is launching the eagerly anticipated 1964 and 1968 expressions from the distillery’s new Orcadian Vintage Series in response to the growing international demand for high quality aged single malt whisky.
The success of Highland Park’s recently released 40 year old, the 30 year old before it and the distillery’s impressive climb in exports over the last four years has enabled the award winning distillery to address the growing demand for exclusive bottlings for the premium connoisseur customer.
Over the next five years Highland Park will release up to ten exclusive Vintage limited editions. Max McFarlane, Highland Park’s acclaimed Whisky Maker will hand-select casks from specific years, based on their maturity and exceptional character; these will then be married together in order to ensure consistency and Highland Park’s inimitable balance.
Jason Craig, Global Controller of Highland Park said: “We have worked tirelessly to take the Vintages from the initial concept to reality and we are exceptionally pleased with the end result. Followers of Highland Park respect and knowingly trust our instinctive nose and tastings and the Vintages certainly meet our high standards.
“We have used the best craftsmanship and time old traditions to create the ’64 and the ’68 and feel very excited at being able to offer discerning whisky lovers from all over the world a very exclusive Highland Park tasting experience. Buyers will recognise our all-pervading obsession with quality and attention to detail; distinct aromas balanced with a full-bodied floral sweetness that comes from a long-term maturation that is distinct to Highland Park.”
The 1964 Vintage is the oldest within the Vintages Series and due to the rarity of the liquid, only 290 bottles of this finest limited edition premium single malt will be made available. The liquid has been created from only two hogshead oak casks specifically chosen by Max McFarlane and when combined will create the 290 bottles at 42.2% abv (alcohol by volume) with a retail price of £3750.
According to Max McFarlane; “The refill hogshead casks have allowed the delicate fragrance of the original spirit to shine through without being overpowered by the oak notes. This distinct and aromatic fragrance comes from hand-turned malt which has been dried over Orkney’s aromatic heather based peat. In addition, the peaceful drawn out maturation the whisky has enjoyed in Orkney’s cool climate has resulted in a remarkable, world-class taste – at full strength the 1964 Vintage is redolent of toasted oak, dried strawberries and shellac with a generous coating of beeswax. The finish – a rich, long, lingering spiciness completes the sensational tasting experience of this venerable single malt. Simply put, it’s pleasure in a glass.”
The second release, the 1968, is an equally impressive malt and 1550 bottles will enter the market; both at home and abroad. Eight carefully chosen refill casks make up the exceptional character of the ’68. With its naturally golden hue colour, full bodied flavour with hints of opaque honey and lemongrass, this Highland Park Orcadian Vintage is an exceptionally fine whisky that builds on the world-class reputation of the internationally acclaimed distillery.
To compliment the exquisite design of these fine liquids a distinct presentation portfolio has been expertly considered. Drawing on the current style of the Highland Park 40 year old, the Vintage’s debut is revealed in a unique decanter-esque bell-bottomed jet back glass bottle that features flashes of silver foil, embossed Pictish knot work design on necker and banding and the distinct pewter ‘H’ Amulette adorned to the front of the bottle.
The bespoke black glass, the manufacturer of which is an all but defunct art form, reflects the careful artisan precision that has been considered. The silver cap with Pictish designs completes the look of this exclusive limited edition. Stoelze Flaconnage, acclaimed glass specialist has produced this majestic looking bottle that consumers can keep long after the liquid has been savoured.
The 1964 and 1968 Vintages are presented in a naturally coloured oak wooden box finished to high specification cabinet quality. The craftsmen have enhanced the boxes with ornate marquetry; the pewter Amulette embedded into the front of the box which also features inlay design work. Inside collectors will discover a detailed booklet featuring explanatory notes about the Vintages range; from thought to taste.
Detail: Orcadian Vintage Series 1964
A 45 year old single malt
A strength of c.42.2% abv
Price: £3750
Colour: A delightfully rich, russet hue with exemplary clarity and brightness
Nose: At full strength the 1964 Vintage is redolent of toasted oak, dried strawberries and shellac with a generous coating of beeswax. When reduced, toasted toffee and smouldering bonfire embers come to the fore, followed by beguiling notes of gingerbread, sandalwood and cinnamon bark.
Palate: Unreduced, this expression has the delicious sweetness associated with Highland Park but combined with a fascinating spiciness, crushed black pepper, crème brulee and toasted vanilla pod add to the complexity. The addition of water reintroduces the toasted oak initially encountered on the nose accompanied by distinctive hints of Applewood smoked cheddar, vanilla sponge and paprika.
Finish: Rich, long, lingering spiciness completes the sensational tasting experience of this venerable single malt.
Detail: Orcadian Vintage Series 1968
A 40 year old single malt
A strength of c.45.6% abv
Price: £2250
Colour: A delightfully rich, naturally golden hue with remarkable clarity and brightness.
Bouquet: At full strength the 1968 Vintage is reminiscent of thick, opaque honey but with attractive notes of lemongrass, sandalwood and a variety of aromatic spices. When reduced, citrus fruits and pencil shavings become immediately apparent, followed by sweet aromas of rose and crème caramel.
Palate: At natural strength, this expression of Highland Park has a delicious complexity, the citrus evident on the nose develops into dried orange peel whereas the pencil shavings transform into toasted oak. The aromatic spices are revealed as ginger and cloves as well as some camphor. The judicious addition of water creates a delicious balance between vanilla sweetness and delicate spiciness
Finish: A lasting impression of rich spiciness is the legacy of a single malt that is extremely long and surprisingly sweet.
Both Vintages will be available in the UK from specialist independent whisky retailers from November 2009.
Ends
Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Highland Park
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Notes to Editor:
Highland Park
Five keystones contribute to making the Best Spirit in the World:
· Hand-turned malt adds to the deliciously succulent, balanced layers of aromatic character found in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Aromatic peat gives a delectably seductive, luxuriant floral sweetness to Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Cool maturation enhances the smooth character of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Sherry oak casks contribute to the distinctive richness and multi-dimensional complexity of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
· Cask harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky.
Established in 1798 on Orkney, Highland Park is one of the most remote Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. For over 210 years, the distillery has combined time old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection. Its range of 12, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including ‘best new whisky release of the year 2009’ for its 40-year-old single malt and ‘best whisky in the world 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
FIRST FLOW OF THE VINTAGES FROM HIGHLAND PARK
Q. What is being launched?
A: The eagerly anticipated 1964 and 1968 expressions from the internationally acclaimed Kirkwall distillery on the beautiful isle of Orkney, Scotland.
Q: Where is it being launched?
A: The Vintages will be launched at The Whisky Show, London on November 6th 2009 to an audience of whisky lovers.
Q: What is its price of the first two releases?
A: The Orcadian Vintage Series 1964 will retail at £3750
The Orcadian Vintage Series 1968 will retail at £2250
Q: How many casks were used to produce the whisky?
A: The Orcadian Vintage Series 1964 is a combination of only two hogshead casks; both were refill whisky casks when they were filled again in1964.
The Orcadian Vintage Series 1968 is a combination of eight casks from 1968; all casks were whisky refill casks, seven hogshead and one butt.
Hogshead=250 litre capacity
Butt=500 litre capacity
Q: How many will be available?
A 290 bottles of The Orcadian Vintage Series 1964
1550 bottles of The Orcadian Vintage Series 1968
Q: What makes the presentation so special?
A: Design agency Mountain Creative undertook the creation of the Orcadian Vintage Series’ presentation. Creative director Andy Bowman has studied Viking art in the museums of Norway, Sweden and Denmark and previously designed the Highland Park amulette. The Orcadian Vintage Series celebrates Viking art and the spirit of the Norse craftsmen who created astonishingly elaborate and beautiful pieces using only the most rudimentary tools and materials.
Q: Distinguished presentation design elements?
A: The Orcadian Vintage Series 1964:
Oak was the wood chosen for the outer box, a visual and tactile reference to the ribs of the legendary Viking longships as well as to malt whisky maturation. Debossed into the front of the Oak box is a Highland Park amulette in silver, handcrafted in Orkney by acclaimed jeweller Aurora.
The interior hinged door features an intricate illustration of Viking art and craftsmanship. The original representation of the mythical Great Beast appeared on the metal war vane of a longship. For the 1964 Vintage marquetry, a technique in which the contrast between individual inlays of wood provides the only colour was used.
The vane, from Söderala in Sweden, would have swung from the prow of an eleventh-century Viking ship and depicts, among a dense undergrowth of tendrils, a large dragon-like beast. Around its leg a smaller animal has firmly clamped its jaws.
This is exemplary of the Ringerike style, named after the carved stone slabs of an affluent district of Norway to the north of Oslo, which emerged during the first half of the eleventh century. A narrow section of the same unusual, finely-detailed inlaid design – hinting at the representation within the interior – appears on the back of the box.
The Orcadian Vintage Series 1968
Oak was the wood chosen for the outer box, a visual and tactile reference to the ribs of the legendary Viking longships as well as to malt whisky maturation. Debossed into the front of the Oak box is a Highland Park amulette in silver, handcrafted in Orkney by acclaimed jeweller Aurora.
The interior hinged door features an intricate illustration of Viking art and craftsmanship. The original representation of the mythical Sea Dragon is a wood carving at the church of Urnes in western Norway. For the 1968 Vintage marquetry, a technique in which the contrast between individual inlays of wood provides the only colour was used.
The illustration is a combat motif; a dragon-like creature is shown seizing a lesser beast by the neck. They are surrounded by thin ribbons which snake their way through the looping design. The Urnes style was developed shortly before the middle of the eleventh century and is characterized by gracefully curving lines of different widths, sometimes swelling or tapering.
A narrow section of the same unusual, finely-detailed inlaid design – hinting at the representation within the interior – appears on the back of the box.
Q: Where was the bottle made?
A: Stölzle Flaconnage, acclaimed glass specialist, was tasked with emphasising the artisanal nature of the Orcadian Vintage Series.
Q: Where will the Orcadian Vintages Series be sold?
A: The Orcadian Vintages Series will be sold in specialist whisky retailers globally and online at www.highlandpark.co.uk.
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Pamela Wils
Account Executive
The Big Partnership
Suite 4/3, Great Michael House, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 7EZ
Tel: 0131 555 5522
Mob: 07825 567 808
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www.bigpartnership.co.uk
