Tastes

Surprisingly sweet and fruity for an Ardbeg. It’s beautifully rich and the peat smoke kicks in at the end. Balanced and delicious, 94

Intense fruit on the nose. On the palate, this tastes like older, classic Highland Park with lots of sherry influence and very light peat. Maybe not quite as full-bodied as I maybe expected from Thor. 95 points

This is definitely the peatiest Highland Park out there. At the same time, it’s rich and sweet almost like an older Talisker. The peated cask also adds beautiful vanilla and caramel flavors that are balanced with dried fruit from the Sherry cask. A brilliant work of art, 97 points

This is the whisky that got me into Scotch generally and Highland Park specifically. It’s rich, sweet, aromatic from the heathery peat, fruity from the Sherry casks. Absolutely amazing and after trying a lot of whiskies, this is still the best 18 year old Scotch in my opinion. 95 points

On the nose, lots of vanilla and sweet spicyness. At 62%, this is hot and water really opens it up. There’s vanilla, caramel, spices, sweetness but not cloying, a slightly bitter finish. Complex and balanced, I like this but I don’t love it. 93

Bushmills 21 is great, but this is the better Irish 21-year old. Rich and full, more strength, and the single pot still gives it that extra fresh flavor combined with fruit and vanilla from the oak. 95

This has the signature nose of Highland Park with heathery peat and soft fruitiness. On the palate, it’s very complex with both dark fruit flavors from the Rioja casks at the forefront and some of the sweet, spicy Bourbon flavors in the background. I’ve tried a lot from HP and this is probably closest to the Fire edition but still very different. They always manage to surprise me! An excellent, beautifully presented limited edition and a bargain if you ask me. 94 points

Not as oaky as the 12, but it definitely has character and is more balanced. A pleasant, easy to drink 92

This is young whisky but it’s still warm and flavorful, rich and oaky. 88