Celebrating a special occasion with family and this whisky was the perfect compliment. Give it a long time to breath. As it breathes, dried pineapple, rich toffee, mixed nuts, honey and floral backed with sea salt/ocean air, as from a late spring, crisp beach day. A very full, buttery texture and wonderfully delivers sweetness; brown sugar, toffee and caramel palate. You may find yourself getting lost in the enjoyment, smoothness, which is what a good dram should do. The sweet flavors eventually tone down and are balanced by ground cinnamon spiciness and mint. Finally, when you take it all in, the balanced flavors give way to oak tannin, sea salt and a trace amount of smoke char. This is a whisky that is perfectly balanced, easy yet complex and memorable. I always enjoy Highland Park, ever since the old round bottled days to the oval shaped of today and have always been fond of their product line. This 18 year is a near perfect malt. It needs a good length of time to reveal all it holds. This should be enjoyed slowly and with good friends and family. [$130][95/100][Dry Glass: Oak, chocolate, vanilla][Opened: 3/13/16; Tasted 12/23/16;10/15/14]