Highland Park Ice edition 17 y.o. Vol.53,9% CL.70

The latest release from the popular Orkney distillery: Highland Park 17 y.o. "Ice Edition".

Following in the footsteps of the Valhalla Collection, this bottling is also dedicated to Norse mythology, specifically the Frozen Realm of Nilfheim.

The bottle resembles a block of ice, encapsulated in a beautiful wooden frame.

The packaging for the Highland Park 17 y.o. "Ice Edition" is aesthetically pleasing, albeit decidedly unusual.

This is a Highland 17 y.o., made entirely from a blend of first-fill ex-bourbon casks.

Given its collector's popularity, however, this bottle is already valued much higher at auction.

A decidedly good Highland Park, quite capable in every respect.

Particularly brilliant on the nose, where sweetness gives way to austerity.

A more sustained finish would have led me to place it higher in the ranking.

At the same time, it remains a high-quality and extremely enjoyable bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Pale gold, liquid gold.

Nose: Waves of vanilla, interspersed with plenty of powdered sugar and custard, perfectly paired with notes of mixed tropical fruit, primarily coconut.

Very elegant, at times a little austere; with the addition of water, the mentholated note emerges more, thus diminishing the extreme vanilla sweetness.

Palate: Full-bodied, it "explodes" immediately. Slightly smoky, it presents a pleasant tropical fruit flavour, with hints of mango and coconut!

With water, the herbaceous and mineral side is emphasized, with notes of bitter centerbe and a hint of cinchona.

Finish: Long, based on cinchona, vanilla, and a balsamic touch. Best enjoyed with a cigar.