Spoiler, I really dig the Highland Park Cask Strength, it was a standout at a recent Malt Nuts and hearkens to some of the older HPs I’ve enjoyed. And by older I mean historical, not age stated. The current releases barely hold a candle to their slope-shouldered brethren of the past, but there is a hint of that essense here. Though speaking of bottles…
While I do hate all the Thor, Lokie, blah blah blah stuff they’re doing, I do actually like the current bottle design when you look at it in pieces. Sitting on the shelf I don’t like looking at it, but when you focus on the details, it’s functionally nice. The twist + cork cap they use I’ve loved since they started doing it, the celtic knot work makes it easy to hold on to, but the shape is awkward on the shelf and that’s really where It grinds my gears.
But, as I’ve said many times, this isn’t a design blog, it’s a whisky blog, so let’s get to drinkin’!
Highland Park Cask Strength – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland – or Islands?
Distiller: Highland Park
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, Sherry Seasoned (European and American oak)
Age: 3+ Years
ABV: 63.9%
Batch: 2 (127.8 proof)
Highland Park Cask Strength Price: $80
Related Whiskey
Single Cask Highland Park 13 Years California Edition
Highland Park 14 Years Loyalty of the Wolf
1988 Signatory Vintage Highland Park 25 Years
Highland Park The Dark 17 Years
Highland Park The Light 17 Years
Highland Park Cask Strength Tasting Notes
EYE
Coppery
NOSE
Butterscotch, malt, dried fruit, leather, vanilla, graham cracker, ash and baking spice.
A nice aroma that blows the current 12 out of the water.
PALATE
Inky smoke, oak, butterscotch, toasted bread, malt, cocoa and Nilla wafers.
A lovely warm taste that gets a tad more candy-sweet with water.
FINISH
Long -> Graham, ash, dried fruit and caramel.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Decent balance, medium-full body and a warm oily feel.
Highland Park Cask Strength – Overall Thoughts and Score
Adding water brings out increasing layers of spice and vanilla-lead candy sweetness. It starts out more oaky, dark fruit, char and caramel, but with some air and water it blossoms into something more deep and interesting. It’s a whisky that needs a smidge of patience.
Once it opens, it’s a delight. You get a wee hint of the sherried HP glory of the past and more smoke than in any HP I can currently remember which tamps down some of the sweetness and brings more balance. Highland Park Cask Strength is a tasty whisky and I’ll definitely be grabbing another bottle when the next batch comes out.
SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)
Highland Park Cask Strength Review $80
Overall
4- Nose (4)
- Palate (4)
- Finish (4)
- BBF (4)