Talk about over-the-top packaging. If you haven't seen the presentation for this one, Google it. I often see people ragging on Highland Park for the ostentatious style they've adopted for their brand in recent years, and I can't say I blame them. Yet, I can't lie, I like what they've done here. The Dark is one half of a pair of 17-year old HP releases, both of which clock in at 52.9%, interestingly enough. The Light spends all of its time aging in American sherry oak while The Dark features European sherry oak exclusively. Let's get into it. Nose: Grilled and smoked meat galore. There's brisket, sirloin steak, and roast beef. A raw, earthy peat and a note more akin to ash than smoke. A puff of peppermint, followed by apple, cranberry, grape, date, fig, plum, and toffee. After some time, sundried tomato reveals itself. it's rounded out by cinnamon red hots and a powerful oak barrel spice. Potent and intriguing. Palate: The maritime influence makes itself known on the tongue. Campfire smoke, sea salt, and seaweed bring the coastal flare. Apple, pear, cranberry toffee, and chewy caramel. More of the peppermint. The ash is now accompanied by campfire smoke. Cocoa and plenty of malt. Plenty of drying oak and just enough ethanol and baking spice to let you know you're drinking a 52.9% whisky. Finish: Malt, caramel, dark chocolate, cocoa. Peppermint, roasted walnut, and chestnut. Campfire smoke, seaweed, and brine. Sea salt, cinnamon, black pepper, and oak spice. As long of a finish as you'd expect of a 52.9% ABV whisky. Amazing whisky. One of the few whiskies that provides a varied set of notes between the nose, palate, and finish. As a reviewer, it's an absolute treat to evaluate. Not to mention, it's unique for Highland Park, for an Island Scotch, and for Scotch and whisky in general. There is simply nothing against which to compare this whisky. I look forward to trying The Light. Hopefully I can still track that one down. As for this one, it truly finds itself in a unique niche, and a damn good one at that. I'm a fan of Highland Park by and large, and this is far and away my favorite of the 10 expressions I've owned. Don't let the gaudy packaging fool you; this is an exceptional whisky. 5/5.