Highland Park releases new whisky Dark Origins

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 02 July, 2014

Scotch whisky brand Highland Park is harking back to its eighteenth century roots for its latest release Dark Origins.

Back in the late 1700s in Orkney, Magnus Mansie Eunson became a famous 'dark' distiller by making whisky for locals away from the prying eyes of tax collectors. During the day he worked in the church, offering spiritual guidance to the local people, but by night, he handcrafted whisky.

Dark Origins, a non-chill filtered single malt with an abv of 46.8%, will appear on shelves from July onwards, rolling out internationally in the autumn of 2014.

Highland Park releases new expression Dark Origins Highland Park's Dark OriginsDark Origins, non-chill filtered single malt whisky from the Edrington Group-owned brand has an abv of 46.8% and will start to appear on shelves in July and roll out internationally throughout autumn 2014.

The new release uses double the number of first fill sherry casks compared to the classic Highland Park 12 year old, resulting in a naturally darker, richer flavour with sherried spice, a chocolate twist and its signature sweet smoke finish.

Highland Park does not use distiller's caramel meaning the whisky's natural colour comes from the interaction between the spirit and cask.

Gerry Tosh, global marketing manager for the Edrington owned brand, said: "Cask management is so very crucial to our work at Highland Park. We have strived to raise the bar, working tirelessly in sourcing the right wood and then working and finessing the balances to ensure we create single malt that is rich, warm and enticing in flavour. Dark Origins sits in the heart of our core range complementing them perfectly - distinct in itself, but always and forever a classic Highland Park."

Dark Origins will be available from Harrods for July 1 to 14 for £64.95. After this period it will be available from independent retailers and at the distillery.

Highland Park describes the whisky as "sherried spice and ripe bananas combined with toasted hazelnuts and baked apple" on the nose, with maraschino cherries and warm dark chocolate on the palate.

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