Highland Park 2003 (Wu Dram Clan)

If the name Wu Dram Clan doesn’t ring a bell: it’s a whisky club of which Boris Borissov and Sebastian Jaeger are members (also involved in this Lagavulin 1997 and this Springbank 1992).

Now they’ve picked a Highland Park 2003 from a European oak sherry cask. Probably a butt which they shared with the ‘Dutch flagship stores’ (yet to be announced afaik).

 

 

Highland Park 2003 cask 6162 - Wu Dram ClanHighland Park 15 yo 2003
(58,2%, OB for Wu Dram Clan 2019, first-fill European oak sherry cask #6162, 628 btl.)

Nose: oak spice up front (ginger, cardamom) with a leathery style of sherry. Thick dried fruits (figs and dates), coffee and tobacco, hints of Black Forest gateau and vanilla. Light whiffs of unlit matches, which don’t bother me here.

Mouth: a big sherry monster. Sweet Oloroso sherry, plums, blackberries, raisins, plenty of pepper, tobacco and earthy notes. Charred oak. Just a hint of rubber. Also puffs of smoke. Pretty massive, but enough fruitiness to keep it interesting.

Finish: long, fairly dry, with coffee, crushed peppercorns and dark chocolate.

Rich fruits and oak spice. Certainly not a disappointment if you’re into heavyweight, intense sherry bottlings. Around € 185, contact the Clan direct for orders.

Score: 89/100