Tastes

Highland Park 12 is rather magnificent. This is not, but it is good. It has most of the flavor notes of the twelve: honey, biscuit, malt, burning autumn leaves. Being younger it just doesn't seem finished and well rounded like the twelve. If you can get it for around $28-32 it is worth a try. Where I live most retailers seem to be trying to cash in on the Highland Park brand name and are chargng nearly the price of the HP 12. Don't go there!

A Youthful Scotch, but full of malty and vanilla flavor. There is a hint of nuttiness, no peat, and a medium finish. If you like a well made Scotch unencumbered with heavy peat or raisiny sherry finishes, this may well be your ticket

First, let me say I have been a fan of Glen Moray Elgin Classic for some time now. However, I am NOT a fan of this chardonnay finish. The chardonnay is not subtle, and, for me, simply wrecks the wonderful malt notes I look for in my Scotch. This does not work for me. (However, I do enjoy the port cask, that one does work for me.)

This is really a wonderful Scotch. A powerful malt flavor with fruity overtones and a peppery finish. Gentle sherry influence to supply the fruitiness and no smoke to obscure the great flavor of an unchilled filtered malt. I prefer a few drops of water to open up the flavors. Well worth trying this gem.

A very solid blend, with enough peat to satisfy all but those "peat-heads" who don't want to taste the whisky, but the peat alone. It has a good mouth-feel, indicating a high proportion of malts. It can be a little rough on the first pour, but quite delightful on the second and third pour. I have only drunk it neat. To me it is very similar to JW Black, not as smooth, but at half the price.

It is a pleasant and smooth dram. But, that is all! This is fine to introduce someone to single malt, but, there is no complexity. The finish is short and swift, Then done! In my area they have resorted to selling it below $30 to clear it off the shelves. Buy a Tomatin or Glen Moray, you will be much happier at that price point.

This is wonderful stuff. I was already a fan of the 10 yro. This is Scotch as it was intended to be. No heavy smoke, no raisin notes of sherry. The lovely notes of honeyed malt, shortbread, and nuttiness shine through without tarnish. My bottle is over 106 proof, but is as smooth as most 80 proofs. The finish is long and satisfying. I have to ship this in from a US state more than a thousand miles away---it is worth it.

Honeyed malt comes through, with moderate peat, has a soft mouth-feel, which I think means a high proportion of malt in the blend. This reminds me of Johnny Walker Black, but I prefer this. Not as complex as an 12-16 yr old single malt finished in sherry casks. But if you want your Scotch to display it's natural maltiness with a full flavor and a rather long smooth finish, this Scotch blend could be for you. And, yes, I only drink it neat.

Wonderful! Spicy fruit, malt, honey, hint of smoke I think. Very complex. Very long finish. I prefer a drop of water to open up the flavors. That rich, inviting finish is still lingering five minutes later.

I really do enjoy this blend. It is smooth enough to drink neat. There is a little smoke, iodine, malty honey, a touch of caramel and vanilla. It hits most of the tasting notes I enjoy! No it is not a special 18 yro single malt; but, it is a well crafted blend and is very consistent from year to year. And a bargain for $25-$30 for a 1.75 bottle.