Critics have scored this as one of the top 5 whiskies from Islands.
Critic tasting note: "The nose offers subtle aromas of unsweetened coconut, bacon fat, and dark toffee with additional toasty scents of apple crisp, dates and oak. The palate entry is rich and fresh; the midpalate features flavors of bacon fat, dark honey, fudge, and bitterswe" - 98/100, Wine Enthusiast
Re-released back in 2011, the now newly presented HP 30 is created from fewer than twenty casks laid down in 1989 and earlier years. Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, took the unusual step of bringing together 3 different cask types for this release. For sweet notes of vanilla and honey with hints of sharp citrus, he selected ex-bourbon casks; to add rich layers of stewed fruit and warm spices, first-fill sherry seasoned casks were selected; and finally, a small but vital number of refill casks were called in to round off the harmony of flavours.
Creating balanced, distinct whiskies takes hard work, skill, dedication, and time: harmonised complexity can’t be rushed. Which is why we matured our robust and oily new make spirit for an extended time in a high proportion of refill casks along with first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks. The resulting flavour profile is an astonishingly complex harmony. There’s that fudgy sweetness found in the more mature Highland Park expressions, but here it’s paired with layers of aromatic spice and dark chocolate orange and floral peat notes. The result of 30 years maturation on Orkney’s stormy, windswept landscape, this exceptional whisky was bottled with an ABV of 45.7%.
