Highland Park whisky debuts a new 17 year single malt, Between You & I 17 year, a collaboration with New York based food artist Laila Gohar, and will launch exclusively at Hong Kong International Airport before expanding to global travel retail.
Highland Park whisky collaboration with Laila Gohar
Highland Park said the Between You & I series pairs the distillery’s spirits with creators from food and culture, following an earlier collaboration with chef Bj rn Frantz n. The distillery, founded in 1798 on the Orkney Islands in northern Scotland, is known for sherry oak driven sweetness and heather peat smoke.
For the Between You & I 17 year release, head distiller Marc Watson drew on Gohar’s New York life and aesthetic, using a new set of Spanish oak casks to introduce a warmer spice profile, the distillery said. Tasting notes list cinnamon and layered baking spices, then the vanilla sweetness associated with bourbon casks, and the rich chocolate from sherry oak, all framed by Highland Park’s characteristic gentle peat smoke.
Artist first, then packaging
Laila Gohar did not simply supply an image for the bottle, the artist said in a statement released by the brand. She first tasted the whisky, then translated the scenes and impressions it evoked into a visual narrative, citing Moroccan night markets when she smelled the spices, an icebound plateau under stars when she felt the sweeter chocolate notes, and late night Tokyo alleys when she experienced the softer peat aroma.
Highland Park said illustrator Silja Goetz rendered those scenes in hand drawn form, turning the box into what the brand describes as a surreal travel story. Instead of a traditional tasting note booklet, each box contains a short story written by Gohar that aims to guide drinkers through the whisky’s sensory journey.
Launch schedule and tasting events
Between You & I 17 year will be sold exclusively at Duty Zero by cdf at Hong Kong International Airport from Sept. 24 to Oct. 29, Highland Park said. The release will expand to the global travel retail market on Nov. 1.
The distillery also said it has arranged a limited tasting program. Global senior brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen will visit Hong Kong in November to host tastings and sign bottles at selected events, the brand added.
Another new entry, Light of Orkney 11 year
Alongside the 17 year collaboration, Highland Park introduced Light of Orkney 11 year, a separate release inspired by the summer light of the Orkney coast. The distillery said the 11 year was matured in a mix of sherry seasoned American and European oak, bourbon casks, and selected refill casks.
The 40 percent alcohol by volume spirit carries notes of caramel, citrus, buttered sugar cubes, ginger, cinnamon, and raspberry, while retaining the brand’s signature floral peat smoke. Packaging for Light of Orkney uses imagery of the Orkney shoreline and summer light to convey a different island mood.
Highland Park provided the details and dates in a company release, and the brand confirmed tastings and the ambassador appearance as part of the travel retail launch plan.
