Tastes

Neat it's very peat forward for a Highland Park. It drinks much easier than you'd imagine for a 63% whisky. Dark stone fruit notes on the taste. A little spicy on the finish. Just a splash of water brings out some vegetal notes on the nose, almost like freshly rubbed lemon leaves, and maybe a little soap. The water completely takes away the spiciness on the finish. It's very good, I like it.

This bottle was distilled by Ken, and is from Batch 4. The nose is sawdust, walnuts, and a little fruit (berries or grapes). It's somewhat spicy and clean on the taste, with a minty sensation on the finish (not the taste of mint, but the cooling of the palate of mint). Worth a second taste in the coming weeks.

The nose is full of plums and bing cherries. There's a little floral background, like rose petals. On the taste a touch of cinnamon accompanies the stone fruits from the nose. The finish is light, but long, and maybe a touch minty? Glorious.

Caveat: I have a 5 year old Total Wine exclusive bottle, not this one specifically. It's spicy and appley. Adding a drop of water makes the peppery notes just explode on the mid taste and finish Another drop and the spice tones down a little and the sweetness takes center stage. This is a whiskey that'll take you on a journey.

Dusty and peppery. A little water opened it up, and then tamed the pepper a little.

A little spicey on the nose. The taste is full of dark fruits. As the pour opens up, a honey sweetness comes forward. The finish is somewhat peaty.

Green apples on the nose. Green grapes on the taste. Peat comes forward on the finish, which is very warming.