Nose: 84/100 The nose opens with sweet fruits and gentle peat. Think a combination of apples, white plums, and a hint of nectarines. The peat presents as sweet, with subtle baking spices and malt underneath. The peat gets more pronounced with longer nosing.

 

Palate: 85/100 The palate is initially vanilla and peat forward. It is creamy, but with a bit of an edge. The fruit and spices reappear, along with snickerdoodle cookies. The late palate turns a little dry, and the peat maintains a presence beneath every flavor.

 

Finish: 83/100 The peat really takes center stage here, along with oak spice and creamy vanilla. The finish ends long and smoky.

 

Conclusion: I really like this. It doesn’t show the strong sherry influence that Highland Park is famous for but offers a balance that lets everything show through. This reminds me very much of the discontinued 15 year, although it is obviously slightly younger. I recommend any scotch drinker at least try this and, for those that like a smoky whisky, don’t hesitate to buy one.

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Rating: 84/100