Jose-Massu-Espinel
Highland Park 25 Year (Spring 2019)
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
June 18, 2023 (edited June 19, 2023)
Highland Park recently changed their marketing strategy, and not-so-lately they have created this bottles that have a viking style carved in the glass. After doing that, they re-released all of their expressions, and most of them aren't too expensive as you would expect from a top distillery.
This is the case of this 25yo, 2019 release, which i believe that is not super expensive, or at least it wasn't when it was first released. Bottled at 46%abv, it has been matured in both bourbon and sherry casks.
On the nose, it starts with oranges, and then you get the heather but not peat. Red fruits, flowers, Alka Setzer. After a first sip, the aroma changed into grass and smoke. Povydone.
On the palate, it is a bit dry; Paper, raw rice, hay and burnt grass. Bitter and grassy. Salty lip destroying. On the second sip: Red fruits; it changed a lot on this sip, to a fruitier, nicer profile. On the third sip i got cherries. It improved in every sip.
Aftetaste is all about a dim aromatic smoke and salt. Also cherry syrup.
Overall, i believe this is a very enjoyable dram, but it lacks emotion, and i truly think that you should get a better whisky for a 25 year old offering. My score for this dram is 89 over 100, which feels a little bit dissapointing.
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@DrRHCMadden yes, The Dark is simply great. Also Loki and Odin where very good drams
@Jose-Massu-Espinel I haven’t managed to try the 21 yet, I suspect it will blur into the profiles of the other higher age statements. So far of the 17 HPs I have had. The Dark has been the best for me, 18 the best with consideration of price, and Mjolner the most challenging and fun.
@DrRHCMadden yes, i believe the 18 is better. What do yoi think aboit the 21yo
You have been less generous than myself and @cascode (4.75/5). But, this is still an excellent dram. The disappointment comes from knowing that the 18 is AS good and at least 1/4 of the price (AUD$250 vs $1000).
@Jose-Massu-Espinel I always thought they peaked at 18