Since beginning their distillery on Orkney in 1798, Highland Park has been crafting scotch and working with artisans from around the world, continually reinventing itself while also holding true to their history and traditions. A recent rebranding effort has seen them lean more heavily into the Viking influence of that area of Scotland, often seen in evocative names to accompany the usual age statements. The Highland Park 16 Year is called the Twisted Tattoo after Jörmungandr, the Midgard serpent of Norse legend. The design and packaging was the result of a partnership with Danish tattoo artist Colin Dale. Highland Park regularly uses ex-sherry casks as part of their standard maturation process but in the Twisted Tattoo, the scotch was finished in ex-Rioja casks.
Distillery: Highland Park
Region: Islands
Age: 16 years
Strength: 46.7%
Price: $99.99
Maturation: First fill ex-Rioja and ex-sherry casks
Location: Kirkwall, Orkney
Nose: Cherry wood, dark cherry, smoke, brine, almond, oak
Palate: Walnut, pecan, spice, smoke
Finish: Pepper, smoke
Comments: While not a must, worth exploring with a few drops of water to bring out some char, smoke, vanilla and pepper on the palate.
Adam – I love the fruit overtones in the nose, followed closely by smoke and a little butter/nut richness after digging a bit. The cherry is clear and rich. Definitely feel the Rioja influence here and it’s great. The palate is alive with spice and smoke but also some very clear nutty notes before fading to smoked pepper at the end. It may take a few sips for the Twisted Tattoo to calibrate to your senses but is worth giving it the time. The finish especially coalesces, with the Rioja-inspired fruits coming back a little from the nose into the finish eventually. The smoke runs clearly through but never as a leader, only a guide. This is what I love about Highland Park, the layers that patience and perseverance allow you to peel back, each different and enjoyable. There is something about a little time in the glass balancing everything out and an interesting dram turns just beautiful by the end.
Kate – This reminds me of my family at Christmas time, where you had to crack yourself a bowl of nuts, like walnuts. This is like the person in the corner who doesn’t say much until you approach them and ask them a question, then spills forth with (confidence). This is an introverted Scotsman, brimming with confidence but not extroverted about it. I think this one has the approachability of the Highland Park 12 dialed up a bit. I love the finish.
Bill – It’s grown up, it’s matured. High ROI. The Twisted Tattoo is easily approachable. Extremely so. I liked the nutty quality about it, the almond/cherry bit. Very nice, very lovely. A little bit of water brought out the smoke and acridity before giving away to charry smoke. All in all a pleasant dram. Someone dressed up Highland Park and told it to behave. A little.
Someone dressed up Highland Park and told it to behave. A little.
Henry – The nose is well-balanced and understated, with cherry wood, walnut, charred oak, and dark fruit upon a deeper foundation of smoke and a hint of brine. Peat and char predominate the front of the palate, with sweetness developing as it opens, leading to a long finish of candied pecans, turf fire, and sea breeze.
Ben – Everything the Twisted Tattoo is doing is big and I like that. It’s big on the stone fruit, big on the nutiness. Even the vanilla from the oak isn’t just vanilla, it’s the vanilla while baking in the cookie in the oven. This is something you can get comfortable with and spend an evening with. You can take this bottle, you and a pal, and play cards all night with it. It’s really nice. I really like how big it is because you can pair it with snacks, interesting snacks, and it won’t overpower them. You can put those big flavor cheeses, breads and crackers in play and it won’t disappoint.
