Highland Park is known for its sherry casks, but on the strength of a couple of recent independent bottlings the best expressions nowadays may come from bourbon barrels. This 20-year-old bottling by the Thompson Bros, sold exclusively by K&L in California, is a good example of how the Orkney spirit can sing solo without the support of sherry-soaked wood. From its nose of sweet and perfumed peat to the silky texture in the mouth, it’s an immediate delight. The creamy flavors carry a delicate sweet peat leading to a long finish that lingers on the back of the throat. This sample from @jonwilkinson7309 was just lovely, and yet slightly surpassed by a similar bottle I bought from Single Cask Nation. That review to follow.