Orkney based Highland Park, has released a 21-year-old variant as its latest core expression. This permanent addition to the range has been developed exclusively for the travel retail distribution channel in which Highland Park commands a strong presence.
Highland Park was well received at last week’s Tax Free World Association exhibition in Cannes, securing a number of high profile new listings, including the world’s No1 duty free operator – DFS – and also the leading operator in the UK – World Duty Free.
Global Travel Retail (GTR) has become Highland Park’s second largest market globally, after the UK. The brand has been available in GTR for over 10 years and the last three have seen it increase its shelf presence by over 100%. A key driver of this success is the 16 year old which was introduced as a GTR exclusive two years ago and has seen phenomenal success; being listed in all major travel retail operators around the world and receiving numerous awards and accolades.
William Ovens, Area Director for GTR at The Edrington Group, explains: “We are delighted with the continued success Highland Park enjoys in this market and the introduction of the 21 year old not only fills the gap between the 18 and 25 year old expressions but extends our range of aged variants to 6, meaning Highland Park has the widest range of aged expressions of any single malt brand in this channel.
The single malt category is one of the fastest growing categories in GTR growing at double the total spirits growth rate.* Highland Park is growing at 15% year on year and is the second fastest growing single malt behind fellow The Edrington Group brand The Macallan.
Highland Park 21 Year Old is bottled at a higher strength than the internationally acclaimed 18 year old (the Best Spirit in the World**) and, in terms of flavour profile, is more closely related to Highland Park 30 Year Old.
It shares with the 30 Year Old a slight emphasis on American oak in maturation. As a result, notes of toffee, fudge and chocolate, as well as the Highland Park trademark balance between smoke and heather honey sweetness are abundantly evident.
Jason Craig, Global Controller for Highland Park states: “Bottling the 21 Year Old at 47.5% ABV gives this particular expression maximum flavour delivery, which is always a priority for Highland Park. In addition, Highland Park 21 Year Old complements our existing travel retail presence and the Highland Park range as a whole.”
Highland Park 21 Year Old is available with immediate effect in global travel retail attractively priced at an RRP of €79 / $99.
* IWSR 2006
**American whisky expert Paul Pacult named Highland Park 18 Year Old single malt whisky the best spirit in the world, judged against spirits across the globe. The accolade was announced in the 2005 edition of the US drinks publication Spirit Journal.
