Tastes

This was the worst of the Highland Park Whiskies I had so far. It had the HP character but it misses everything else. It has nothing else really except for more ABV a bid more peat and much more bitterness which is really unpleasant.

Another HP whisky that I would recommend if you can't get your hands on the 18y or the 12y. In the end you get the typical HP character but nothing that the 12y and 18y can't offer themselves.

Edit: tasted this a few months later and had to make some corrections. I originally rated this way lower but that was because I really didn’t understand heavily peated whisky. But I slowly am getting there. The peat in this one now is actually quiet enjoyable. The taste itself is still isn’t much better but that isn’t caused by the peat smoke. While the nose is really quite enjoyable there are some weird moldy wood aromas on the palate and it also is quiet burny with its just 46 ABV. It is an OK dram but the Cruach Mhòna is way better while both of them being NAS.

NOSE: very light peat embedded nicely in plums, light cinnamon and cloves, fresh apple, a bid of orange and hard nuts ... really amazing character that welcomes you and impressively shows you a uniqueness Highland Park is able to deliver PALATE: mild and gentle in the beginning but it intensifies fast, wood aromas but not really oaky, light bitterness, not overwhelming and still very round, some burned brown sugar aroma ... it is very likable but the bitterness and lack of sweetness might be unpleasant for some FINISH: mildly bitter, leaves a light burn on the tongue, stays quiet long with mature wooden aroma and very light peat The smell is definitely the best aspect this whisky has to offer. The 18 years really suits it. Its very light peat gives it some volume but I miss the sweetness in the taste that you are getting from the nose. After smelling it you walk into tasting it with higher expectations which aren’t fully met. But in the end it somehow leaves a different yet still great impression. I think this will be a nice whisky to return to frequently. P.S. don’t add water. Completely destroys it.

Very pleasant on the nose and the first sip. After it hits the palate it falls flat and becomes a bid uninteresting. It is not bad by any means but it simply lacks character especially for a 15 years old. It comes with some dark brown sugar and remains fruity for quiet a while. While I get some rubber there also is some honey melon, marzipan, young green pear and appleseed.