The third installment of Highland Park's Cask Strength series is here! Master whisky maker Gordon Motion opted for a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt than previous releases, resulting in a richly smoky profile. The single malt was matured in a combination of first-fill and refill sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, rounding off the hearty peat smoke with zesty layers of fruit and warming spice. Bottled up at a cask strength of 64.1% ABV, a drop of water certainly helps to bring out layers of soft fruit and floral malt beneath the intense smoke.
Hefty layers of smouldering peat and earthen ash, with whispers of oaken vanilla, floral tea, and grilled mango joining in time.
Rich, roasted barley with charred heather and spiced honey. Peat smoke rests boldly at the core, with a tarry, oily character balanced by flamed citrus zest.
Notes of toasted, buttered fruit loaf emerge, along with drizzles of citrus oil, while the dense, floral smoke lingers with a prickle of peppery spice.
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In years gone by HP 12 was one of my favourite whiskies. However, recently, I felt the whisky had deteriorated and I was disappointed. I tried HP CS batch 1 and wrote a review that was not at all flattering. With this new batch, though, my faith has been restored. It's how I remember HP to taste - there's some smoke, heather honey, vanilla and some parma violets (old sweets you may remember). It's a powerful dram at 64% and takes water well. I've found it goes well with Dark Island ale.
Nose - charred pineapple, strawberry jam, dark honey, and a savoury note like Ritz biscuits with very gentle earthy smoke. Taste - honey sweetness, spicy, white pepper but the peat smoke is subtle and sits in the background. Oily mouthfeel. Finish - medium. A really tasty dram.
Although not as much for me as I'd hoped, this still deserves to be called excellent. Amazing flavours.
Best Highland Park in the last ten years.
Really good stuff but my personal preference is the no 2 as it has a more honey/sweeter palate and a little less peat smoke finish compared to the no 3.
