Another day here in Dramatic Towers and it seems things have eventually settled into some sort of pattern after the busy few months i have been experiencing. A well overdue meeting with my accountant went rather better than expected which is always a good way to start the weekend I think.
Then, upon arriving home, there before me was a “little” package from Highland Park . Well, when i say little, I mean 4 lovely cartons of 12 and 18 yr old! just arriving in time for some sessions this weekend. Now i just need to find the room to securely store it!
Its been a busy week of reviews also as I try to get 5 years worth of tasting notes up on my web-site - I can see how web designers are paid well…it is certainly a skill creating something that not only looks good but holds interesting content. However, it does seem like I am doing something right as the stats are looking quite good.
I took a wonder around my garden to get a bit of fresh air and watched a spider, of thumbnail size, capture a wasp type flying thing and consume it before my eyes. what amazed me was the time, skill and patience it seemed to have. Now, don’t worry, I’m not about to link that event with how well HP is crafted and draw analogy to the care, time, patience and dedication they have with making that most glorious of amber drops. (oops, i just did)
anyway- here is said spider! and what a beauty she is! (i think she is female, don’t they always grow bigger than the males?)
So back to the Highland Park- as I said, I have been a fan for quite some time and been fortunate enough to try some of the really old and rare bottles that are seldom seen. But I have to say it is the 12, 18 and 25 that I am most fond of.
Three quick tasting notes in a row-
Highland Park 12 yr old
That Glowing Amber
40%
As one of my favourite distilleries, just about everything they do I love. So it’s not surprise to know that the 12-year-old
still makes me smile when in my glass. The firey orange and amber colour is almost illuminated it is so bright.
On first sip, it’s that lovely combination of honey and oil that are introduced, but then all of a sudden a wallop of smoke followed by warming spice. Those latter two elements continue to dance around for a while before dissipating and allowing the sweet, fresh fruit to finish.
A smashing dram, worthy of its numerous world awards.
Now quickly onto the 18-year-old.
Highland Park 18 yr old
Every Improving
43%
A deeper gold than the ages prior, flecks of ruby come through.
A fuller nose altogether, still honeyed, but set honey now, less sweet. The fruit has also moved on with time, becomes ripe, even overripe apple and Dundee cake.
It’s all in such great balance, rich and fruity with tastes of salted butter, cinnamon, walnut and coffee cake. Smoke and dried fruits mingle but never overpower.
The lingering finish is all about that faintest of old, cooling smoke and dried fruit and nut- mostly walnut.
And finally, the 25-year-old…
Highland Park 25 yr old
Holy Smoke- it's a wopper!
48.1%
Golden amber
Rich and intriguing, the sweetness of dried fruit and set heather honey offered up in huge quantities. The influence of the sherry butt at its most apparent now with polished wood, baked nuts and drying peat
Perhaps sweeter than expected, good firm body of spice including nutmeg, mace, cinnamon with toffee/fudge and milky coffee. The smoke most apparent in younger expressions had drifted by and not nearly as pronounced.
Spices linger, warming and welcome with a drift of citrus infused smoke.
Well, it did seem an odd way to link the whisky to the blog, and I could have picked Robert the Bruce and the Spider as a better spider story. But that was too obvious (and maybe too plitical at the same time) .
Enjoy.
