July 2011

Highland Park 1994

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Vintage 1994
40% ABV/80 Proof
$75
Travel Retail Exclusive

What the Distillery Says:
This variant of Highland Park is exclusively for global travel retail and duty free markets and was first released in April 2010 having been distilled in 1994.

Midway through the decade the world was gaining confidence after the early 1990s recession. Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa. France and England were joined physically as the Channel Tunnel welcomed its first passengers. The Winter Olympics were held in Lillehammer and Schindler’s List picked up seven Academy Awards.

George Foreman was still boxing and became the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Brazil won the FIFA World Cup Final. Michael Schumacher won his first Formula One world title in the same season that the mercurial Ayrton Senna lost his life the day after Roland Ratzenberger died in practice. British teen diving sensation Tom Daly was born.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:Rich, warm amber hue.
Nose:Warm caramel to the fore coupled with hints of almonds. Dark fruit, including cherries and figs, are slowly revealed as the whisky opens up.
Palate:Caramel and soft smoky notes intertwine with cinnamon and rich dried fruits. Beautifully mature.
Finish:Lingering warming smoky finish.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich and welcoming like fresh baked monkey bread. A lot of cherry.
Palate: Much sweeter than anticipated. Rich and smokey.
Finish: Slow…very slow. The oak and smoke (great name for a whiskey/cigar bar) dance well together.
Comments: Oh this is quite nice. It’s not a classic like the 18 Year but well worth a sip if you get the chance.
Rating: Must Try

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Highland Park 15 Year

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years
43% ABV/86 Proof
$65 to $70
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
First released as a UK exclusive in 2003 and now globally available, Highland Park 15 is a fabulously smooth, easy to drink single malt with a luxuriously light floral flavour and a gentle smokey finish.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Full golden, clear and bright
Nose: Aromatic smokiness with a hint of camphor
Palate: Rich, initially sweet developing into a dry smokiness
Finish: Rich, long medium sweet then medium dry

Highland Park 15 Year Old has a remarkably complex nose with notes of camphor, peat and citrus fruits and flowers. The drying sensation on the finish leaves a rich smoky feeling and the immediate desire to refill your glass.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Savory and sweet play back on forth over the heather and smoke.
Palate: Very easily drinkable. Honey and floral sweetness (lavender maybe) laid over a smoky oak flavor.
Finish: A little briny, peat, floral smoke, and a little heat transitioning from late palate to early finish.
Comments: An odd thing about this bottling is that on Highland Park’s website and just about every other European mention I’ve seen lists this at 40% ABV while the bottle in front of me is 43%. I’m glad for the discrepancy. I don’t know that it would hold up as well watered down. I’m kind of at odds with this expression. I think the 12 Year Old at about half the price is a great dram at a great price. Is this better? Yes but for about $20 more you can get the 18 Year Old which is superb. I don’t know if I would ever choose this over either of those.
Rating: Stands Out

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Highland Park 1998

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky Vintage 1998
40% ABV/80 Proof
$55 to $65 per liter
Travel Retail Exclusive

What the Distillery Says:
This variant of Highland Park is exclusively for global travel retail and duty free markets and was first released in April 2010, having been distilled in the year of Highland Park’s bicentenary.

1998 was the year in which New Labour swept to power in the UK whilst the USA was rocked by the Monica Lewinsky affair. In a pioneering move, California banned smoking in bars and restaurants and the first Euro coins were minted. France defeated Brazil in the FIFA World Cup final and Titanic swept the board with 11 Oscars. The world said farewell to the talents of Frank Sinatra, Roy Rogers and, tragically, Florence Griffith-Joyner.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Rich, golden, clear and bright.
Nose: Opaque honey, dried grass with ginger spicy notes. Dried apricot emerges late.
Palate: The vanilla and honey sweetness developed from a dozen years in American oak is perfectly balanced with the emergence of the aromatic heather peat smoke. Sweet notes of cinnamon and cashew nuts emerge.
Finish: Sweet with medium lingering spice and smoke

What Richard Says:
Nose: Herbaceous and a little sweet.
Palate: Smoky, nutty, and vanilla sweetness.
Finish: Smoky and a little spicy hot.
Comments: This is an odd one. I’ve given it to a few folks and they all say the same thing. “This doesn’t taste like Highland Park.” I kind of agree. All the Highland Park DNA is there with the honey sweetness, heather, peat, smoke, etc. but it just doesn’t feel like Highland Park. I am usually on the lookout for travel retail exclusives whenever I travel because I like to try new things. This one I find very average. It’s more costly (size adjusted) than the standard 12 year old and doesn’t taste as good. Unless you’re a “must have everything Highland Park” drinker then I’d probably skip this one.
Rating: Average

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Highland Park 12 Year

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 12 Years
43% ABV/86 Proof
$35 to $40
Available Worldwide

What the Distillery Says:
The first proprietary bottling of Highland Park single malt Scotch whisky was as a 12 year old in 1979. It remains the core expression of the Highland Park range and is a smooth, balanced single malt, with a rich full flavour and a gentle smokey finish.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Glowing amber
Nose: Heather-honey sweetness; peaty smokiness
Palate: Rounded smoky sweetness; full malt delivery
Finish: Teasing, heathery, subtle smoke. Delicious

Take your time to appreciate the nose of Highland Park 12 and you’ll discover the characteristic honey sweetness followed by fruit – maybe pineapple, apple or pear. On the palate it is drying and leaves a gentle smokey feeling and a flavour that just keeps on going.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heather, dew covered wild grass, little hints of smoke, and wisps of sea air.
Palate: The smoke and sweetness dance around each other in the whirlwind.
Finish: Smoky and dry. The finish seems to linger forever.
Comments: I won’t be the first person to tell you that Highland Park is an underrated dram. It’s getting much more recognition lately but it still plays second fiddle to their parent Edrington’s Macallan. I’ve rarely had anything from this distillery that I wouldn’t recommend. This is one of the best 12 year old single malts out there and when you can find it at $35 it’s almost a steal. Stock up and enjoy.
Rating: Stands Out, Great Value

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