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By: Will Blakely | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/23/2023 | Send Email
Deals like this are the reason our customers have come to love our Old Particular barrel selections. Needless to say, if the words "Highland Park" were printed anywhere on the label, this bottle would cost at least twice as much, even without the heavy sherry character of the distillery's own single barrel releases. Yet here we have classic malt for fans of good, no-nonsense whisky for well under $100. I can't wait to get into it.
Right away, aromas of mossy, oceanic peat, and wet loam greet me along with smoked meat, golden raisin and bergamot. The palate boasts sweet grain and delectable custard, adorned with crisp apple, anjou pear skin and heather honey. The sea salt flavor lingers and enhances everything it touches, wrapping it all up in a lip-smacking finish. This should satisfy anyone looking for high quality Scotch at a reasonable price, and with its modest ABV, there's no barrier for entry.
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By: David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/8/2023 | Send Email
The Isle of Orkney is so far flung and remote it's incredible that anyone managed to settle there at all, let alone build one of the world's great single malt distilleries. We've had many Highland Parks over the years, but it seems recently that every year we come across a great little cask. What's shocking is how affordable they still are. It's true that if they name were legally mentioned on the label, it would easily double the price, though there would be no improvement whatsoever in the contents of the bottle. This is refill hoggie is more active and woodsy than last years nearly naked version. Let's taste it. The color is old gold. The color is all sweet grains and Seville orange oil. No perceivable smoke here, but a subtle ocean character and a good earthy spice. Very creamy and rich on the palate with a strong vanilla and scrubby heathery mid palate which relinquishes into the tiniest smoldering peat and salty ocean tones. Sweet and salty, it's a lovely maritime experience. With water it really opens and adds tons of citrus oil, lemon candies, salted peach spread and a deep herbal floral note. On the palate now a gorgeous caramel sweetness tamed only by the salty ocean note which remains. This is an absolutely cracking cask that really improves with water. I'm totally into this style and while it's certainly not got the intensity of a distillery single cask with its hard tannins and dense sherry, it is almost more fun to drink, less brooding and more authentic. Stupid prices on these too...
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By: Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 6/5/2023 | Send Email
This is a wonderful single cask selection. It is fun to smell with enticing malt ,sea and savory aromas. In the mouth, if offers the same flavor profile but adds a touch of elegance to the mix. With the addition of some water, it shows how concentrated and complex this fantastic single malt is. Experience tells me that this selection will not last in inventory very long.
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