Highland Whiskey

As a very vague rule of thumb, the Highlands region is one of big-bodied whiskies, often peated and smoky, often very powerful. The Highlands is such a large, diverse region that is difficult to categorize their whiskies accurately. Technically speaking, the Islands has not been officially recognized as a region of its own and, as such, is included in the Highlands appellation. For the sake of precise classification, we shall choose to note the separation.

It is worth looking at the subcategories within the Highlands, typically broken down into the cardinal compass points. The Northern Highlands is an area of big-bodied, cereal rich, sweet and mouth-filling whiskies. Noteworthy examples are The Dalmore from Alness in Ross-shire, whose single malts are rich and sherries with honeyed sweetness and, of course, Glenmorangie, whose full-bodied whiskies are among the world’s best-selling. The Southern Highlands produces lighter, fruitier and drier whiskies. Edradour and Aberfeldy are good examples. The Eastern Highlands proffers full-bodied, dry, well-fruited single malts. Glen Garioch whiskies are wonderful examples; their twenty-one year-old is a personal favorite with its beautiful fruit and smoke. The Western Highlands locale is one of full-bodied, powerful single malts, peated and smoky. Oban is a wonderful example and Dalwhinnie consistently amazes.

Old Pulteney Noss Head 1L

Named for the Noss Head lighthouse, which you might see if you venture far enough north (it's near Wick), this Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whiskey was released as part of a travel retail series in 2013. It's an American oak ex-bourbon-cask matured expression, packed with spicy pepper, succulent orchard fruit and touches of fragrant oak

Old Pulteney Navigator Bottling Note

What's that we spy off the starboard side? It's a new single malt whiskey from Old Pulteney! The Navigator is a maritime malt aged in a mix of ex-sherry and bourbon casks in celebration of the distillery's history with the ocean and the old sea dogs that sail it. Sweet, succulent apple lashings  with dollops of chocolate and vanilla tastes Drips of honey and syrupy orange.finished off with

A salty finish sneaks up from nowhere, very nice. received 2014 silver distiller award.