With the name ‘Dragon Legend’ we just had to try Highland Park’s more unique offering. Sherry cask scotches are popular among the Highlands with distilleries like Glenfarclas also using the fortified wine casks. Highland Park usually peat their whiskies but are not on the same level of smokiness that you’d find with a lot of Islay options. However, with a dragon in this product name, let’s see if it’s any more toasted.
The nose carries deep sherry, dried fruits and a bit of melon aromas. The peat is overpowered by the sherry cask notes however. For those that are put off by very smoked fragrances this is quite welcoming option.
The taste is when the peat hits you but it’s nicely rounded off by the sweeter sherry notes or raisins. There’s definitely some of that highland savoury spice in there but it’s more mellow than say their 12 Year Old offering.
The sweet characteristics slightly overpower the smoke, as with the nose, which is nice but you do occasionally wonder how natural the sweetness is as the finish is quite dominant and almost chocolaty.
After a while, the finish is when a little oak from the barrel comes in. It’s quite subtle which is actually a nice change as a lot of scotches have a very prominent oaky flavour.
Overall, this is a different proposition and one at a reasonable price. If you like sherry’d single malts, the Dragon Legend will deliver. If you’re big into peat, this will fall short and you’re best looking to Islay offerings. Perhaps not a dangerous Dragon this one but a tamed one you can get along with for sure.