Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 4

128.6 proof. 100% malted barley. Aged in ex bourbon barrels, ex sherry and ex port casks. Chocolate, charred bacon, peat, roasted barley, charred oak, corn, roasted nuts, vanilla, sour grapes, chocolate covered cherries, honey ham, butterscotch.

Natural Cask Strength - 64.3%, non chill filtered and natural colour. Nose: wood char, sweat floral peal ( this is what I would picture if I was burning brush that had a large amount of wild flowers) and butterscotch pudding. Palate: raisins, nuts and a dark chocolate cakey feel. Finish: short and slightly alcoholic. With Water: Nose: sweet butterscotch, honey and sugar coated orange soft candies. Palate: orange zest, honey and a slight dark chocolate bitterness. Finish: medium to med long more orange zest and rind followed by a faint sweet peat smoke….that trademark honey heather. This cask strength HP is intense and layered. This needs a generous amount of water to open up from its closed off self, I find myself using 1-3 teaspoons depending on the mood. Each time I sit down with this I wonder why Highland Park decides to neuter its core line, they clearly can make a whisky. Originally, after having this bottle, I was considering making a statement along the lines of “I most likely will never buy anything else but the HP 12 and the CS releases”. But after sitting on that, I’m inclined to say I would only buy these un restrained versions. I purchased this bottle in the states for 100 USD and thats a good deal for this, I can’t justify there other prices after having this. Lovely whisky if you like Highland Parks profile, but find the core line a bit thin or weak.

Surprisingly smooth for 64% but you definitely know the alcohol is there. Spicy dark chocolate smoked with peat.

Nose sherry spice Palate creamy Finish smoky smooth

Second tasting Very different

Malty, grassy. Oak. Hot