Its the last Friday before Christmas. I find my self for the monent in a quiet house. The calm before the storm. Some pensive time with an mature scotch. What a perfect moment to sip and enjoy. A beautiful, rich amber color starts the show. A soft but pronounced nose. Sherry prominent. Sultanas, figs, banana. Spice of cinnamon, sweetness of brown sugar and butterscotch (or toffee). That is out of the gate. Let it sit for the well deserved time to give this old man whisky to awaken (a good 25 plus minutes). Bitter chocolate and that scent of a freshly opened cigar, just before it’s lit. Oranges with nutmeg (Orange Fruit Clove Spice, like you made in elementary school for Christmas). I almost do not want to sip it as I can nose this all day. This comes to the palate in gentle arrival in a silk like body. There are flashes of toffee sweetness but fades almost as quickly. Glimpses of dark chocolate and toasted coconut that return to the sweet vanilla and toffee arrival. The palate is somewhat short and very rapid in its transitions amongst the flavors, which is somewhat surprising given the age. The finish is the strength of this whisky. Orange bitters with a cinnamon spice tickle. Oak drying tannins suck the moisture from the palate. The mouth is last left with cloves and toffee that seems to go on forever. This whisky is one to sip, reflect, and stop time while doing so. The strength in Highland Park is with their core range / aged statement whiskies. They just do it right. Their recent dabbling is NAS whiskies, in my opinion, is a distraction from what they do right; their NAS leave much to be desired. For the price, I would undoubtedly always purchase their 18 year old expression as the quality per price cannot be beat. This 25 year old, though fantastic, is in that unreachable price point for many. And for me, I greatly appreciate the opportunity @LeeEvolved afforded me with the chance to sample this scotch. I almost certainly would never have had the chance. And on this (almost) Eve before Christmas Eve; to the members of the SDT, thank you all for many an opportunity. Cheers and much health and happiness! [94/100][Tasted: 12/22/17]