Highland Park 12 Year

Nose: Malty toffee, sweetness, the slightest whiff of green apple, slight band-aids, mild island peat, slight smoke. Palate: ROUND and full! Delicious, sweet arrival that evolves progressing to peat, smoke, and concluding with a mouthwatering dryness. So far, this is the only palate I've found myself craving when I haven't had it in a while. Finish: Malt, smoke, and island peat. Final Thoughts: One of the best entry-level scotches I've sampled. Confirms everything I've heard about it. Amazingly complex and delicious. A true gem.

My wife introduced me to Highland Park, and what surprises me about the 12 is its versatility. Have it neat, it revels in smoke and peat. Cut with water, it becomes flowery. Cut it with ice, it's sweet. Literally, it's three great scotches in one bottle.