Style: Fruity and Elegant
Nose:
Incredibly pleasant floral mead flowing on the nose. Fresh grapefruits giving a great citrus zing, while a slab of honeycomb slipping underneath to add a bit of depth and round sweetness. Green spearmint heat, ethereal peat smoke knitted in between core layers, throwing in a tiny dash of salt from the side. Malt syrup and buttery biscuits sitting at the bottom. Gorgeous.
Palate:
Similar theme on the nose but expressed with a more compact fashion. Grapefruit citrus leading the floral peat and malt cake in. Sparkling fruit punch, confectionaries, lavender mint with a few chili nibbles. Going slightly chalky (or lightly oaky?) as we progress. White pepper dusting on a hint of lime fingers. Vanilla cream, coconut shreds and wood shavings to finish. Quite nice.
Finish:
Looks relatively dim comparing to what has been offered on the nose and palate. Light malt syrup, some floral whispers and a gentle, cascading finish of simmering fruits.
Thoughts:
I am down to the final third of this bottle as I am typing out this review, a little bit sad that there’s not much left in this. A citrus-driven Highland Park with all the mellow and elegant traits manifest beautifully overtime. For me, Highland Park at this age is about appreciating the graceful subtle elements residing in the spirit, this is totally my jam. Exceptional drinking stock.
☆☆ [Highly Recommended]
[47.2% • Independent Bottling • 2016 Bottled • 1989 Distilled • Single Cask • Cask Strength • Non Coloured • Non Chill Filtered • 1 of 193 Bottles • Cask Number: 3006 • **+]
-Esmond
WhiskNick 