Join Daniel as he lines up pairs of whiskies from Benrinnes, Caol Ila & Highland Park served at cut-strength (46% and 48%) and cask-strength (50% and above in this case).

How will the distilleries fare at different ABVs, and will distillery style shine through? How will the subtle heathery peat of the Orkneys compare with the big peat of Islay, and will we get any sulphur from the worm tubs of Benrinnes? There's only one way to find out!

Here's the lineup…

• Caol Ila 2010/10yo Artist Collective LMDW 5.3 48% (WB 86.82)
• Benrinnes 2010/11yo Artist Collective LMDW 5.4 48% (WB 87.03)
• Highland Park Viking Pride 18YO 46% (WB 87.12)
• Elements of Islay 'Beach Bonfire' Feis Isle 2023 54.5% (WB 86.71)
• Benrinnes 1997/23yo Hidden Spirits 52.8 %. (WB 88.62)
• Highland Park Cask Strength Release No.4 64.3% (WB 85.75)
• Mystery whisky (WB 87.33)

.....................................

Cancellations must be made no later than 48hrs in advance.

This tasting will be a seated tasting in the Regional Wines tasting room.

If sold out - please email John at online@regionalwines.co.nz to be placed on the waitlist.

Join Daniel as he lines up pairs of whiskies from Benrinnes, Caol Ila & Highland Park served at cut-strength (46% and 48%) and cask-strength (50% and above in this case).

How will the distilleries fare at different ABVs, and will distillery style shine through? How will the subtle heathery peat of the Orkneys compare with the big peat of Islay, and will we get any sulphur from the worm tubs of Benrinnes? There's only one way to find out!

Here's the lineup…

• Caol Ila 2010/10yo Artist Collective LMDW 5.3 48% (WB 86.82)
• Benrinnes 2010/11yo Artist Collective LMDW 5.4 48% (WB 87.03)
• Highland Park Viking Pride 18YO 46% (WB 87.12)
• Elements of Islay 'Beach Bonfire' Feis Isle 2023 54.5% (WB 86.71)
• Benrinnes 1997/23yo Hidden Spirits 52.8 %. (WB 88.62)
• Highland Park Cask Strength Release No.4 64.3% (WB 85.75)
• Mystery whisky (WB 87.33)

.....................................

Cancellations must be made no later than 48hrs in advance.

This tasting will be a seated tasting in the Regional Wines tasting room.

If sold out - please email John at online@regionalwines.co.nz to be placed on the waitlist.

Spirit of the Bear is part of a trio of Travel Retail market releases from Highland Park in 2018. This is a no-age-statement single malt that was matured in sherry seasoned American oak casks, and bottled at 40% ABV. We assume that the bear-based spirit which the name refers to is that of the strong, noble type that Vikings saw in the creature, rather than the picnic basket stealing and fedora hat wearing spirit we know bears for today.

Nose: Peat is up-front, though swiftly moves on to brioche dipped in coffee and fresh honey.

Palate: Orange peel and stem ginger. Still enjoyably smoky, though now with hints of floral barley in tow.

Finish: Sandalwood and vanilla malt.

A perfect expression of harmony, complexity and refinement, VIKING PRIDE combines honey sweetness with delicious hints of cherries wrapped in chocolate, and subtle top notes of aromatic peat smoke.

Named ‘best spirit in the world’ in the Spirit Journal, on two separate occasions, the intense balance of the flavours found in VIKING PRIDE owes everything to our five traditional keystones of production, honoured for over 200 years. Slow-burning, aromatic peat from Hobbister Moor; hand turned floor maltings, Sherry seasoned European oak casks, cool maturation in our temperate island climate and a long and unhurried harmonisation process. Like our founder, Magnus Eunson, we share our Viking ancestors’ commitment to skilled craftsmanship as well as their proud, independent spirit.

ABV: 46%

The final whisky in a series of three special edition Viking Legend releases – is inspired by Odin, the mightiest of the Norse gods. The most peated whisky Highland Park have released to date, it is matured entirely in refill casks to give beautifully balanced layers of flavour and a character as complex as Odin himself.

Sweet apple fragrant pear, crème brûlée, toasted cedar wood, smoked paprika and aromatic peat smoke

The second release in Highland Park's Viking Legend series. Found upon the bodies of slain warriors and thought to invoke the presence of Odin himself, Valknut will transport you to a roaring longhouse feast with its woody, smoky and spicy character.

46.8% ABV l 700mL

Released in 2013, Ragnvald is part of The Warrior Series, a collection of single malts created for Duty-Free to both introduce a key figure from Orkney’s Viking history and to demonstrate the impact of cask type on our whisky’s flavour, which is immense.

Predominantly matured in the finest sherry seasoned European oak casks, Ragnvald’s flavour is rich and succulent, with distinct yet balanced notes of dark chocolate, candied peel, and oriental spices, all rounded off with heather rich peat smoke.

Highland Park 21 Year Old has been matured in a combination of first-fill European oak sherry casks, first-fill American oak sherry casks and a handful of refill casks. The palate offers notes of ripe mango, sun-dried orange peel, sweet pear, fresh ginger, nutmeg, vanilla and aromatic peat smoke.

Released in 2013, Thorfinn is part of The Warrior Series, a collection of single malts created for Duty-Free to both introduce a key figure from Orkney’s Viking history and to demonstrate the impact of cask type on our whisky’s flavour, which is immense.

Created using a high proportion of first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, Thorfinn delivers a deep and complex array of flavours. Think fiery ginger fusing with sun-dried fruits and fistfuls of spice, all emboldened by our signature smokiness.

Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 4 opens with enticing aromas of toasted coconut, driven by the ex-bourbon casks, along with crushed lemons and cedarwood; there’s a delightful hint of Turkish Delight in the aromatic peat smoke too, thanks to the influence of the ex-port casks. Intriguing flavours of zesty pink grapefruit and fragrant rose water emerge on the palate, expertly balanced by earthier suggestions of toasted oak and heather-rich peat, while the long finish reveals exotic sun-baked spices and a ribbon of liquorice running through the final breath of floral peat smoke.

From the distillery...

The clue is in the name really. Cask Strength Release No. 2 is bottled straight from the cask, without adding water to reduce alcohol content, to deliver an extraordinary depth, complexity and balance of flavours.

Casks have a huge influence on the flavour, character and natural colour of our whisky as it matures, so our Cask Strength series presents our whisky in its purest form, giving you the freedom to enjoy our whisky, your way. Discover the taste and strength that suits your palate by experimenting with the amount of water you add to reach your optimum flavour.

For this second release in the Cask Strength series, Gordon Motion, our Master Whisky Maker, selected mainly sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, along with just a few ex-bourbon casks. You’ll find aromas of summer rose, ripe pear and fresh coconut gathering on a wave of aromatic peat smoke, followed by a wild harmony of sweet and spicy flavours - poached pear and rich almond cake, a drizzle of cloudy honey and a twist of salty liquorice. There’s the suggestion of toasted oak and intriguing notes of orchard fruits, black pepper and sweet aniseed linger, in a satisfyingly long finish. In a word (or three) we call it ‘smoky peppered praline’.

Welcome to a whole new taste adventure…why not find out more by checking out the tasting video below?

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney, since 1798. Age, experience and respect for tradition may define our whisky, but it’s Orkney that sets it apart. Something magic happens here and the result is the wild harmony of flavours found in our whisky.

ABV : 63.9%

Bottled straight from the cask, without adding water to reduce alcohol content, delivers the extraordinary depth, complexity and balance of flavours that’s now the established hallmark of our Cask Strength series. Release No. 3 is no exception.

This third release has been created using an expertly balanced combination of three cask types – first-fill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks and a smaller quantity of refill casks for balance and depth. Using a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt, our Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, has achieved an intensely smoky character, coming through first on the nose with aromas of smouldering peat and lightly charred oak, balanced by honey-glazed lemons and crushed aniseed.

Discover what best suits your palate by experimenting with the amount of water you add as you release this whisky’s distinctive notes of ripe mango, cloudy heather honey and whipped vanilla cream with a hint of aromatic violet. Pink grapefruit zest, freshly-baked sponge cake and a final gust of heathery peat smoke provide a long and distinctive finish.

64.1% ABV

This is a wonderfully rich and complex single malt. Opening with rich and spicy aromas of crème brulee, heather honey and crumbled cinnamon, intensely fruity notes follow - fresh pineapple dressed with a scattering of sun-kissed lemon zest. There’s a hint of freshly-baked sponge cake too, warm from the oven, and you’ll find cinnamon again, but toasted shards this time. Citrus and vanilla notes linger in the aromatic waves of peat smoke. 

To create 15 Year Old Viking Heart, Gordon Motion, Highland Park's Master Whisky Maker, selected predominantly sherry seasoned European oak casks to deliver warm, spicy notes and sherry seasoned American oak casks to provide a balance of sweet vanilla. Expertly adding just a few refill casks to soften and smooth the flavours, Gordon chose to bottle at 44% ABV to allow the whisky’s vibrant fruitiness and distinctive heathery peat smoke to shine through. Why a ceramic decanter? Rewind a century or two and Highland Park whisky would have been stored in earthenware vessels. Inspired by examples found at their distillery in Orkney, Highland Park asked Wade Ceramics if they could work with them to create a modern version. Established in 1810 and based in Stoke-on-Trent in England (known globally as the traditional home of ceramics) Wade share Highland Park's commitment to environmental responsibility, focusing on sustainable manufacturing and using locally sourced raw materials. The lead-free porcelain decanter is 100% food safe, glazed inside and out, and embossed with the lion and serpent design that appears on many of Highland Park's glass bottles. Look closely at the back of the bottle and you’ll find the heart motif that inspired this whisky’s name.