Intro: This was the first scotch I ever tried and immediately liked, and also the first bottle I purchased. I figured I should review it before the bottle is replaced with something more exciting. Nose: sweet smoke, raisins, vanilla, sweet bread, whisper of barbecue sauce Palate: dried red fruit, earthy peat, vanilla, hint of smoked meat Finish: short, hot, and bitter with just a touch of peat and raisins Overall: If it weren’t for the bad finish, this would be a spectacular whisky! It’s got everything I really like in a scotch: sweetness, touch of peat, and an excellent nose. I think that the weak finish could be do the the chill filtration of this particular expression, and the fact that it’s bottled at 43%. I would love to try some highland park that’s not been adulterated by these processes, but Edrington seems to be focusing on the section of the scotch market that has more money than taste with outrageously priced NAS offerings that are often bottled at or near 40%. It’s really a shame, but I suppose there’s more money to be made from ripping off the uneducated than satisfying the small percentage of the market that are spirit enthusiasts such as my self. If I had to sum it up in one sentence: I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed. I’m going to be on the lookout for some independent bottlings of highland park and if you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments! 89/100