That is not the shortest title I’ve ever typed. But, keeping in mind that the SMWS is also a thing, it probably isn’t the longest either.

Anyway, back in the day when whisky was allowed to be shipping conveniently from the promised land to just across the North Sea, I bought two bottles of this Highland Park bottled for IWBOS through their amazing branch in Drumnadrochit.

I’m not sure how things are now, but for a couple of years they bottled some rather amazing whiskies at decent prices. I remember the other Highland Park, Glenfarclas and Ballechin rather fondly.

This one, even though I would say it’s a bourbon cask matured one by the looks of it, matured in a sherry puncheon. Of course, it was an American Oak one, so the color is a bit lighter than you’d expect from European oak.

Sniff:
Very Highland Park-y, with a gentle note of peat, heather. Quite some barley and oak as well. A very classic Highland Park, with a whiff of candied lemon and apple.

Sip:
Rather dry and with a bit of bite. It starts with black and white pepper, but moves towards chilies quickly. More oak, sawdust and bit of a whale skin texture. Peat, dry heather, a whiff of peat. Apples, unripe pears, dried lemon.

Swallow:
A long finish that sticks to the dry notes of heather, barley and oak.

A classical Highland Park, as said. I like that it has the typical dryness, the whiff of smoke and the layered flavors. Apparently this one is still for sale for € 150 in The Netherlands, and at that price it’s not even too expensive. Good stuff!

89/100