Assessed in a Glencairn spirits nosing glass. Aroma - Neat - Distinctly Highland Park, but gentler and more refined on the nose than the 12 year old I’m used to. The ethanol nip and more young, gluey notes of the 12 are gone. Baked apple, toffee, mildly Smokey leather, stone fruits, dried preserved fruits. Adding a drop of water . . . A pumpernickel bread characteristic is developing, brown sugar, dates, raisin, a lot of Speyside character is showing up now. Taste - Neat - Saline arrival, English breakfast tea, fudge, a bit nippy. Adding a drop of water . . . Clean, bakers chocolate, biscuity and thick. Final thoughts - It’s damned good, but, I find myself missing the stronger peat notes of the 12 year old version. This expression is clearly much more refined. The oak is less fresh and more so old mahogany furniture, the sharper notes of green Apple and bittered honey in the 12 are now richer, more dense and gentle, but I miss the smoke. All in all, this is an extremely solid Highland scotch, and if it had a bit more smoke, it might just be perfect.