This 17-year-old whisky was inspired by Egypt and took more than 80 casks to perfect

Monday, 28 September 2026 at 08:55

Highland Park 17 Year Old Between You and I whisky

Never miss whisky news, reviews, and new releases again.

What do you get when a famed Scottish whisky maker teams up with an artist who draws inspiration from both Egypt and New York? In Highland Park’s case, the result is two brand-new single malt whiskies. The Orkney distillery has joined forces with artist Laila Gohar to create a pair of 17-year-old single malts that will look right at home on any whisky shelf.

The whiskies are part of the series Between You and I. For this line, Highland Park collaborates with creative minds from the worlds of art, fashion, and food. Each whisky blends the character of the distillery and its island home with the personal story of the featured artist.

After last year’s inaugural release, it’s now Laila Gohar’s turn for edition two.

Find the Highland Park Between You and I whisky here

What makes the new Highland Park whisky special?

For the first of the two new whiskies, master whisky maker Marc Watson took inspiration from Gohar’s Egyptian heritage. He sampled more than 80 different casks before settling on the final composition.

'We sampled more than 80 casks before selecting those with the vibrant, spice-forward character I was looking for, balanced by notes of creamy vanilla. Those were the qualities I hoped would evoke memories of Laila’s Egyptian roots, but the most rewarding moment came when Laila tasted the whisky herself. The flavours immediately transported her back to Cairo. Moments like that remind me of whisky’s remarkable ability to evoke memory and emotion.'

- Marc Watson

The whisky first matured for 11 years in refill casks, then continued aging in highly active, virgin American oak. The result is a profile that includes notes of orange blossom, leather, and warming spices, layered, of course, with Highland Park’s signature aromatic peat smoke.

The official tasting notes are:

Nose: Orange blossom and aromatic peat smoke.
Palate: Leather and warming spices, complemented by Highland Park’s hallmark subtle smoke.
Finish: Spicy and smoky.

The combination is no coincidence. The intention was to craft a whisky that would evoke Gohar’s Egyptian roots and the feeling of home.

A Scottish whisky inspired by New York

The collaboration doesn’t end there. A second Highland Park 17 Year Old has also been created. It’s called Between You and I: Journeys and draws its inspiration from New York, the city Gohar calls home.

This whisky is anchored by new Spanish oak casks. According to the official tasting notes, you can expect cinnamon, warming spices, and subtle smoke. Ex-bourbon casks add vanilla, while sherry-seasoned oak delivers deep chocolate tones.

The idea behind Journeys is that the flavors take you on a sensory voyage. As Gohar tasted it, she pictured a Moroccan night market, a frozen high plateau, and Tokyo’s streets after dark.

New whiskies at Whisky Exchange
Highland Park 17 Year Old Between You and I	116 pounds
The Glenturret Remanence	88,95 pounds
Compass Box This is a 20-year old whisky	63,95 pounds

How much do the Highland Park Between You and I whiskies cost?

Both 17-year-old Highland Park whiskies carry a suggested price of 160 dollars, which works out to around 120 pounds. The euro price has not been announced.

Both whiskies are out now, but availability differs. The Egypt-inspired Between You and I is a global release, available online and through selected retailers. Between You and I: Journeys takes a bit more effort to track down, as it’s exclusive to travel retail.

So if you want a bottle, you’ll need to look at airport whisky shops and other duty-free locations.

Read more about Highland Park here

FAQ

What is Highland Park Between You and I?
Between You and I is a Highland Park whisky series created in collaboration with creative talents from the worlds of art, food, and fashion. Each edition centers on personal stories and inspiration.
Which whiskies are in the new Between You and I series?
The Laila Gohar edition comprises two different 17-year-old single malts. The global release is inspired by her Egyptian background, while Between You and I: Journeys reflects her life in New York.
Where can you buy Highland Park Between You and I?
The regular 17-year-old Between You and I is sold worldwide through selected retailers and online shops. Between You and I: Journeys is available exclusively via travel retail, such as at airports.