Signatory Vintage: Highland Park 1987 (Scottish Island Single Malt Whisky: 24 Years: 43% ABV)
Visual: Gold.
Viscosity: Slow to break into streaks from the liquid. Thin and light when streaks do form.
Nose: Sweet vanilla. Light salty rocks. Smooth and toffee notes.; Dims when water is added.
Body: Smooth with slight rocks character. Sweet lime. Custard and toffee. Honeycomb. Water bring out full on honey and makes very sweet and an almost syrup texture. More toffee with water.
Finish: Lime jelly custard and, yes, toffee. Dry shortbread. Light oak and smoke. Malt chocolate. Water makes for more chocolate and cough drops like honey taste.
Conclusion: This is very smooth, even for a Highland Park. By default it is notably smooth, but with water it becomes exceedingly so. There is barely any island character, a touch of light salt and rocks but the main notable element is this real thick honey flavor. There can be an almost cough drop like take on it with water and the texture, though smooth, has a syrup like quality to it. Despite the finishes cough drop imitations at time it is still shockingly easy going.
It took me a while to get use to this, mainly as it was completely different to what I expected. There’s nice sweet notes of toffee, vanilla and chocolate dusted throughout laced over that light salty rocks. It is very relaxing and , when you get used to it, a great texture that just slips down.
The honey can get too heavy, especially in the finish where it can be a bit sickly sweet, but that very slight rocks helps balance by reigning it in just a touch. It’s a tasty whisky but doesn’t have anywhere near the robust range I was hoping for.
So a great texture, utterly smooth, good sweetness and a dash of rough offset. Could do with a bit more range but still tasty.
A good relaxing island walk of a drink.
Background: Bottled 2011, I found this independent bottling at the Tasting Rooms in Bath. Since I had a gift voucher for there form Christmas it seemed the perfect time to treat myself. I love Highland Park and find it a nice balance of smoothness to island character. The 18 year in particular is a favorite.