The great thing about 12 is I could transpose most of the tasting notes from my Highland Park 15 review exactly, but then this is a much cheaper bottle!  The nose is fruity, giving off hints of some sherry finishing, but not too heavy on the raisins.  There's almost a sweet oily quality to the nose, a bit of honey, and a smokey or grilled fruit note.  Of the three Highland Parks, the 12 has the smokiest nose, although still a soft, earthier smokiness than in an Islay scotch.  My hastily scribbled tasting note on the palate is simply, "Wow."  There's not much more to say, it is a great combination of sweet (honey, grilled pineapple), smoky (that's the grilled part), and oily, and I'm again grateful that the American rendition of this expression is 43% rather than thinned down to 40% like elsewhere.  Not complex, but pleasant in every dimension.  The finish is almost identical to 15 for me.  It feels like the aftertaste of chocolate milk, with a bit of cappuccino, and that earthy peat as well.