Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 3

Even though I hate the most recent marketing of Highland Park, the brand has some sentimental value to me, as it was the first whisky that got me interested in peat. I've only ever tried the regular 12 year, both before the marketing change and after. The last time I tried it, I thought it had taken a step back from the pre-viking bottlings. But I've heard good things about the newest cask strength release, so I thought I'd give it a go. We know that the marketing department is on heavy drugs, but let's see if the whisky-makers are too. On the nose, orange, honey, vanilla, light peat. There's a little sourness that takes turns as slightly off-putting, to actually pleasant when I imagine it as a fresh orange. On the palate a nice oily texture. The sherry shows up strongly on the palate, continuing the orange, but adding some berry and dark chocolate. I had heard that this was the most peated of their cask strength releases. It's definitely there, especially on the finish, but I was hoping for more. The peat is, as they say, very heathery, and it does come across more strongly than I remember on the 12 year. It's very drinkable straight from the bottle despite the proof, but also takes some water quite well, although it seemed the peat and fruit diminished and the honey grew stronger. This is a good whisky. I will say it seems a hair overpriced, but then everything seems overpriced right now. Going with 4 stars.

If you like the classic highland park 12 then you will love this! It’s just the 12 ramped up and more complex. Would highly recommend!

Smoked heather honey mangos..delicious! Definitely more smokey/peaty than any other Highland Park release I have had. My favorite of all the cask strength batches released so far.