Highland Park 18 is a peated Single Malt Scotch from the northern most region of Scotland. This spirit is matured for 18 long years, staying consistently cool in the Orcadian air, in some of the finest sherry oak casks from Spain. Highland Park 18 is made of 100% malted barley and smoked using peat from the island. It is quite a unique whisky that is consistently well balanced and smooth. Bottled at a pleasant 96 proof/43% ABV, Highland Park 18 proves itself, time and time again, being a dram anyone can enjoy. Color: Burnt Gold From the time I saw those nice legs streaming down the side of the glass to the long and warming finish, Highland Park 18 was excellent in almost every aspect. It starts with some nuttiness, red fruit sweetness, marzipan, dark chocolate, and some peat smokiness on the nose. The sweetness and smokiness were perfectly balanced. On the palate were more intense sherry notes with red fruit sweetness such as cherry, oak, toffee, honey, all spice, dark chocolate, and more smoke. Again, the balance was amazing. However, the texture was a little thicker (creamy) than I would like. The finish is long, smooth and gentle with more of that superb balance of peat smoke and sherry sweetness.