Highland Park 27 Year The Kinship 2023 Single Orkney Malt Whisky 52.5%

Released in 2023 as part of Hunter Laing's prestigious Kinship series, this 27-year-old Highland Park is a masterfully matured Orkney single malt that exudes elegance, complexity, and remarkable character. Aged in a single cask and bottled at natural cask strength, it achieves a refined balance. Expect aromas of baked pears and heather honey on the nose, followed by sweet notes of honey, mandarin, passion fruit, and black pepper throughout the palate. Only 268 bottles were drawn from this unique cask.

Hunter Laing & Co., the creators of The Kinship series, are renowned for their uncompromising commitment to quality and their ability to select and bottle some of Scotland’s rarest and most characterful casks. The Kinship series pays tribute to the Scottish whisky community and the regions that have made Scotland world-famous for whisky.

Distillery: Highland Park  
Bottler: Hunter Laing  
Vintage: 2023  
Age: 27 years  
Type: Single Orkney Malt Whisky  
Cask Number/Type: Refill Hogshead  
ABV: 52.5%  
Number of Bottles: 268 bottles  
Un-chillfiltered  
Natural Colour  
70 cl  
Other:  
Additional info: Limited edition release from The Kinship Series

Highland Park Heather Cask Strength Single Orkney Malt Scotch Whisky 63.6% is an uncompromising and intense whisky experience that celebrates the distillery’s unique terroir and time-honored approach to whisky craftsmanship. Bottled at natural cask strength and without chill-filtration, this edition delivers a bold and unfiltered character where smoke, sweetness, and spice unfold in full force. With an ABV of 63.6%, it’s a dram for the seasoned enthusiast seeking depth, complexity, and authenticity in every drop.

Distilled on Orkney, where Highland Park has been crafting single malt since 1798, this whisky carries the distillery’s signature balance of sweet and smoky notes, shaped by the use of heather peat from Hobbister Moor. Unlike the medicinal smoke of Islay, heather peat imparts a more floral and aromatic profile, which shines through with great intensity in the Heather Cask Strength release. The whisky is matured in carefully selected first-fill European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks, adding layers of dried fruit, spice, and dark chocolate.

On the nose, expect powerful aromas of heather honey, burnt orange peel, dried dates, and a pronounced yet elegant smoke. Hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and roasted nuts reveal the influence of the sherry casks. The palate is rich and oily, unfolding with waves of dark fruit, spiced oak, chocolate, licorice, and a touch of salty minerality that evokes Orkney’s rugged coastal landscape. The finish is long, warm, and persistent, with notes of pepper, toasted malt, and lingering peat smoke that round off the experience with depth and finesse.

Distillery: Highland Park Heather
Age: Not stated
Type: Single Orkney Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 63.6%
Volume: 70 cl
Other: Release No. 1

Highland Park Heather Cask Strength is a bold and expressive whisky that captures the essence of Orkney’s natural beauty and Highland Park’s dedication to tradition and quality.

Inchdairnie 2021 Finglassie Coopers Choice Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 54%

Inchdairnie 2021 Finglassie vintage whisky is part of the renowned The Cooper’s Choice series from The Vintage Malt Whisky Co., founded in 1992 by Brian Crook and celebrated for its high-quality independent bottlings. This particular release, limited to just 270 bottles, was matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and Marsala casks.

Tasting Notes – Inchdairnie 2021 Finglassie Coopers Choice

From the very first moment you nose this exclusive single malt from the Lowland-based Inchdairnie Distillery, you’re met with an enticing freshness that reflects the distillery’s clean house style and technical precision. The aroma is vibrant and fruity, with pronounced notes of sweet grains and ripe pears, evoking images of freshly cut hay and sun-drenched orchards. A delicate background warmth of spice is balanced by floral honey and freshly squeezed citrus, forming a deep and complex bouquet that invites contemplation.

On the palate, the whisky delivers a rich and full-bodied mouthfeel that unfolds in layers. Initial notes of baked apple and caramelized sugar give it a dessert-like character, yet it remains beautifully balanced and never overly sweet. Smooth vanilla tones from the casks enhance the profile, and a subtle complexity emerges with hints of green banana. A gentle whisper of smoke starts to appear – not overpowering, but rather a dry, refined touch of charred wood and toasted barley. Toward the finish, warming spices such as cinnamon and clove emerge, adding contrast to the fruitier elements.

The finish is long, evolving, and nuanced. The tasting experience concludes with elegant traces of dried fruits, mellow oak, and a spicy sweetness that gradually fades into a subtle dry finale. This is a whisky with great depth and complexity, offering both challenge and satisfaction to the senses – a true masterpiece of contemporary Scottish whisky craftsmanship.

Distillery: Inchdairnie 2021 Finglassie
Bottler: The Cooper’s Choice
Bottled: 2021
Age: NA
Type: Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask Type/Number: American Oak & Marsala Cask / Cask No. #410
ABV: 54%
Number of bottles: 270
Un-chillfiltered
Natural Colour
70 cl
Other: Single Cask Edition – Listen to our podcast about The Vintage Malt Whisky Company.

Inchfad (Loch Lomond) 2005/2018 A. D. Rattray 13 Year Old Single Highland Malt Whisky 56.9%

Inchfad 2005 from A. D. Rattray is a powerful and characterful single malt whisky from the Highland region, distilled at Loch Lomond Distillery and bottled after 13 years of maturation. This edition is part of A. D. Rattray’s exclusive Cask Collection, where each bottle comes from a single cask and is bottled at natural cask strength without chill-filtration or added color. The result is an unfiltered and intense tasting experience, allowing both spirit and wood to speak freely.

The whisky was distilled on February 24, 2005, and bottled on November 12, 2018, giving it maturity and complexity shaped by time in a bourbon hogshead and the distinctive style Inchfad is known for. Inchfad is one of the smokier and rarer malt variants from Loch Lomond, standing apart from the distillery’s fruitier profiles. Instead, it delivers deep smoke, spice, and a lightly oily texture that makes it both challenging and rewarding.

The nose opens with notes of white pepper, bacon, vanilla, and citrus, followed by a hint of minty freshness and toasted oak. The palate is rich and complex, layered with peat smoke, sweet fruit, malt, and spice. Expect apple, banana, and honey at the core, while the finish is long, dry, and smoky with touches of cinnamon, dark chocolate, and a subtle oak bitterness. The combination of high strength and natural aging creates an intense and honest dram that will especially appeal to seasoned whisky enthusiasts.

With only 316 bottles drawn from cask number 431, this Inchfad is a collector’s item and a rare opportunity to explore a lesser-known side of Loch Lomond Distillery. It’s ideal for slow enjoyment, preferably with a few drops of water to unlock its more delicate aromas and flavors. It also pairs well with strong cheeses, smoked meats, or as a contemplative dram after a fine meal.

Distillery: Loch Lomond
Name: Inchfad
Distilled: February 24, 2005
Bottled: November 12, 2018
Age: 13 years
Bottler: A. D. Rattray
Region: Highland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask type: Bourbon Hogshead no. 431
Alcohol: 56.9%
Volume: 70 cl
Filtration: Un-chillfiltered
Color: Natural
Bottles: 316

Inchfad 2005/2018 is a whisky with edge, depth, and personality – a dram for those who appreciate the unexpected and the authentic in Scottish whisky craftsmanship.

Inchfad 2016/2024 Adelphi Selection is a bold and rare Highland single malt whisky bottled at 57%, matured for 8 years in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry cask. Distilled at Loch Lomond in 2016 and bottled by Adelphi in 2024, this limited edition release is part of the acclaimed Adelphi Selection series, known for its uncompromising quality and single cask expressions. Only 205 bottles were drawn from cask no. 1326, making it a true collector’s item.

Inchfad is one of the smokier and more distinctive spirit styles produced at Loch Lomond Distillery. When paired with the richness of a PX sherry cask, the result is a whisky of remarkable depth and contrast. The nose opens with waves of earthy peat smoke, dark berries, dried fruits, and hints of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied and oily texture with layers of sweet sherry, roasted malt, licorice, cracked pepper, and a subtle medicinal edge. The finish is long, warming, and smoky, with lingering notes of cocoa, spice, and dried figs.

This expression is bottled at natural cask strength, unchillfiltered and with natural color, preserving the whisky’s full character and complexity. It’s a dram that rewards slow exploration and benefits from a few drops of water to unlock its deeper layers. Ideal for seasoned whisky drinkers who appreciate bold peat, sherry richness, and the individuality of single cask bottlings.

Distillery: Loch Lomond
Name: Inchfad
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Distilled: 2016
Bottled: 2024
Age: 8 years
Region: Highland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Cask type: First Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask No. 1326
Alcohol: 57%
Volume: 70 cl
Un-chillfiltered
Natural Colour
Bottles: 205
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Inchfad 2016/2024 is a powerful and expressive whisky that showcases the smoky side of Loch Lomond in perfect harmony with rich sherry influence.