Highland Park 12 Year

Another solid entry level single malt scotch. I would put this on par with Ardbeg 10 year. It doesn't lean into the peat like Ardbeg, but still has hints of it, while the sherry takes the lead. Char and apples are what I pick up on the nose. The peat, while not that pronounced is there are on the first sips, but the sherry and stone fruit quickly take over. The finish is long on this one, maybe not as long as Ardbeg. I pick up more oak, sweetness and a hint of smoke. I believe this to be a touch below the top tier entry level single malts, but still well worth trying. Is it better than Ardbeg 10 year? I'm not sure, but I think it would come down to your preference of heavy peat or not. If you are introducing someone to single malt scotch, then I would probably choose this over Ardbeg. Overall, though, a very good value for the money and one I would recommend for sure.

Been several years since I last had it; had felt there was a trend of decline in sub-$100 scotches around that time. Surprised to see it's aged in a combination of european and american sherry casks but I guess it offers an alternative to the bourbon barrel aged scotches that dominate the market now. Navel oranges, bartlett pear, heather honey, heaps of smoke with some vegetal peat, old world barley bread, buttery cake, nutty, cinnamon bark, anise, nutmeg, clove, dried cranberry, california raisins. Oak tannins were light & pleasant. Quick to oxidize and thin out but overall alright on account of its price point. A decent introductory scotch, though I do find all the lingering heather a little offputting personally. Still has that classic sherry barrel taste. Would recommend Auchentoshan.

color: dark color nose: sherry, pencil shavings, sulfur, orange, sweet peat, apple skins, floral, honeyed, maritime palate: spicy, rich, smoky, tea-like, chamomile, coffee on the back finish: medium, sharp, coffee roast This was one of my first single malt scotch whiskeys, over six years ago. I initially found it very polarizing: "burnt tires" was one of my first descriptions. This time around, I found it MUCH more subdued, which could be due to a change in preferences/perspective, a revamping up their formula (or both). If anything, it was a bit underwhelming! Still, it's one of the few bottles that doesn't break the $60 mark, and has a little of everything. No serious drinker can afford to overlook this iconic malt

This is my first bottle of Highland Park 12, though not my first taste. The nose is inviting, interesting, and enticing, with a bright minerality that lifts from the surface. Light notes of peat and leather are apparent, but I mostly sense golden treacle, honeycomb, and barley sugar. The taste is incredibly malt forward, with rich and earthy molasses carrying the palate. Beneath the barley sweetness, I also taste grilled orange, prunes, and cranberry. The finish is tart and malty, carrying the same hint of peat the nose alludes to. This malt is both easygoing and very interesting, a testament to Highland Park’s formidable contribution to scotch.

Nose: sweet dried fruits, honeysuckle, caramel, a slight mineral or iodine note, hint of peat smoke, pleasant overall. Palate: malt, caramel, vanilla, hint of baking spices and peat smoke, fairly balanced with a medium length finish. Just oily enough to cling to your tongue and suggest you another dram. What you would expect from a Highland Scotch. Solid and worth having in your home bar.

Neat In a tasting with Aberlour, the sherry in this shines more (or I mixed up the glasses), but the peat is subtle and tasteful. The nose isn’t much but the palette is complex and full. Smoked chicken or pork, honey sweetness, and lemons/oranges on the finish. A must buy single malt.