Intro – It has been almost 5 months since my last whisky review. Life has been busy and lately I have been more interested in just enjoying whisky then reviewing it. The weather today is rainy and dreary so I figure it is a good day for a review…or a nap. Maybe a nap after the review. Highland Park Dark Origins came onto the whisky scene a few years ago. Another Non Age Statement (NAS) whisky to annoy the whisky purists. I have tried the Highland Park 12 and remember enjoying it. It is probably the whisky I would most recommend to people starting out in their exploration of single malt whisky. The Dark Origins is supposed to be a richer, darker whisky with more first fill sherry casks to give it a deeper sherry character. I did my research and reviews were good and bad. I enjoyed the Highland Park character I found in the 12 year so I figured I would enjoy the extra sherry maturation in Dark Origins. Also being bottled at 46.8% ABV helps. Non Chill Filtered and I believe natural color. I think I paid about $75 in late 2016.
Nose – Big sherry, dark fruits, caramel, soft vanilla, light underlying smoke, slightly medicinal, light pepper and spice, complex deep notes of sherry, spice and intertwined smoke. Highland Park character is there covered with sherry. Great nose.
Taste – sweet sherry on the arrival, candy sweetness, quickly turning spicy, then dark fruits,chocolate…bitter chocolate and smoke. very quick changes in your mouth. Does not taste young. Good mouth feel.
Finish – short/medium finish – I wish it was longer. I wish there was more smoke on the finish but that may take away from the sweetness so I think it is properly balanced there. There is nothing off putting on the finish – I just want more!
Favorite Part – The Taste.
Conclusion – Some reviewers have hated this expression. I have to say I really love it. Maybe there are batch variations but my bottle has been going down fast. My wife also really enjoys it. I heard recently that it is being discontinued so I will probably try to get another bottle before it is gone for good. Over the years I have come to realize I enjoy certain distilleries more then others. Highland Park is on my short list of distilleries I enjoy. Dark Origins is a bit expensive for a NAS but for me it was worth it.
Rating – 82/100
- Presentation – 5/5
- Nose – 23/25
- Taste – 30/35
- Finish – 18/25
- Value – 6/10
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