This Highland Park sample was sent to me by the chaps at the Master of Malt to get some publicity for their own bottlings. A very good way of doing that, and I really love the idea that I got these samples this way!
Nose:
Quite a fierce nose on this dram, with a lot of alcohol. It is a cask strength whisky, so that’s not a big surprise. There is not a lot of wood influence but there is a lot of smoke. A LOT of smoke, more like an Islay whisky instead of typical Highland Park. There is smoke dry grass and straw, a hint of pepper and a very obvious lack of typical Highland Park sweetness.
Taste:
I got really surprised here, and started thinking my nose was a bit off, because here the lacking sweetness of the nose came ramping up to me. A lot more treacly than I expected. It also has a nice build-up and displays some notes of sweet fruit. Lightly smoky here, but still a tad more than expected.
Finish:
Here, the big peat is back again and there are flavours of sweet heather. Quite a long finish, but still reminiscent of an Islay whisky.
I found this dram quite unexpected, flavourwise. I did like it however, and the idea that Highland Park can produce many different kinds of spirits is something I like. Not necessarily the best Highland Park I’ve tasted, but a very nice dram indeed.
Fun Fact: We also had a bottle of this personalized for a Stag night of my brother in law!
Highland Park 13, 1997, 57%, available at Master of Malt for 52 euros.
Nose: 8
Taste: 7
Finish: 7
Overal experience: 8
Price/quality: +1
Total: 31 points
Malt Fascination 