@Zachary-Robbins Now that I spent some time thinking about this one and reviewing it (in the same week I did Lap 10 CS and a Lag 12 CS), I can see where you get that attacking feeling from. On my palate, this is crazy hot (but I actually kind of like that). Others seem to get more from the peat/smoke. Overall, I think this is just way younger than the Islay CS whiskies. I also think future batches of this will be better than this batch.

@skillerified Really? That's odd, I find the Ardbeg and Laphroaig cask strengths much more enjoyable. This one feels like it's attacking my mouth.

I was underwhelmed by this too. I think that HP needs a lot more time in the barrel to lose its sulphur than most do and that's what got me. CS 18 could be amazing, but anything 12 or under from them rings alarm bells for me.

@ctbeck11 I would kill for Springbank 12. And that's an offer. It's heavy on the sherry and proof, but for me it hits this nearly perfect balance of funk and sweet, rich sherry. It's just missing some maturity.

Interesting. I have a bottle of this open, couple of pours down, and actually find it a bit tame for a peated cask strength. I do think the NAS weakens it some though.

@MunsuLight I highly recommend Springbank 12. The flavor profile isn’t for everyone, but it’s one of my all time favorites. Each batch is slightly different, so YMMV but I haven’t found a disappointing Springbank product yet (save for one independent bottling which doesn’t really count). Maybe start with the cheaper 10 Year to be safe, but I haven’t regretted a dollar I’ve spent on Springbank, and I’ve spent quite a few.

I was kinda flabbergasted that it was the Edition 1 and not the Edition 2. The only "interesting" bottle in this lottery is Sprinbank 12y Cask Strenght but I'm unsure of this too

@ctbeck11 I still have a few pours left in my bottle and it's still hot as hell. I'll wait on reviews of batch 2 before I consider.

@Zachary-Robbins @MunsuLight Agreed. I’m very disappointed in this bottle. I think I may lower my score on this one. My bottle has been open for a year and it hasn’t improved. Edition #2 is dropping in the next month or so. Interested to see if it’s an improvement, but I won’t be buying a bottle.

@MunsuLight It's too hot, overwhelms the mouth. Not sure if it's the abv or youth. I've bought two Laphroaig Cask Strengths this year, both around 120 proof, and they're much more enjoyable for $15 less. This is their first iteration, maybe the next batches will be better. I really like the 12Y and 15Y so it's not like I don't enjoy the Highland Park profile

Thank god I saw your review. I will not try to get this on the "special lottery" . At 130$CDN it would need to be amazing and from your review , it doesnt seem so. Maybe it has to do with the NAS ?

@ctbeck11 Yeah I would buy most of the peated malts under $90 instead of this, just isn't worth the price.

Very interesting; nice review! This is actually the first time I have known that Highland Park releases a cask strength as I definitely have never seen one of these in real life anywhere around here. However, as a lover of peat, cask strength whiskies, and especially Highland Park, this is very intriguing. I will definitely be on the look out for this now.

Yes, I think we had similar experiences. It’s not terrible whiskey, but I was expecting much better for the price. I find that it needs a good bit of water to be enjoyable.