21 and 22 year old CS and all three 52-52.9%abv, but distilled in 1966,1975 and 1989. Could this imply that many of the casks through the years at HP have had a similar porosity and size? Lets try! And of course a 20yo at lower strength as a starter.
Highland Park 20yo 1977-1989 43% Signatory Vintage cask#96,97,101 btl.2233/2450
The color is light golden. It smells of banana and vanilla, clearly from a bourbon cask. A bit of smoke and peat, hay, sooth, ashy, sugary, very smooth and sweet. The taste is sweet, oranges, zesty, lemon, tongue prickling, kiwi, sweet at first, then turns more sour, all fruity. The finish is slightly peaty and peppery.
Fruity whisky from bourbon wood, certainly to my liking: 6.5
Highland Park 22yo 1966-1989 52% Signatory Vintage cask#7815 btl.51/1000
As old of an Highland Park as this should certainly be interesting. I once had a 1959 that was superb. Some evaporation in this one as you might expect after 23 years on glass. The color is dark amber. It smells of leather, sweet, orange zest, lime juice, spice, cardamum, cinnamon, honey, sugar, bailey's, heather, some peaty and smoky notes. Some salt and fish stock. Very nice one. The taste is zesty, oranges, peppery, vanilla, black pepper, honey, smoky, lime juice, ginger, white pepper. A longlasting finish on peppery and peat smoke, tongue numbing, ashes, coal, just a perfect finish, not far from some of the very best Taliskers. If you ever get a chance to try some older vintages of HP, please do, they just don't make whiskies like this anymore.
Stunning old stuff: 9
Highland Park 21yo 1989-2010 52.8% Alambic Classique cask#10420
Only 60 bottles, probably miniatures, was released from this cask. And before they were released there was a 10 month finish in a Cognac Grande-Champagne cask, probably a very small one. So, its actually a double casked whisky, and I wouldn't be surprised if another bottling from cask#10420 will appear in years to come. The color is golden brown. It smells of peppery, sweet, white grapes, peat, leather, onions, orange zest, honey, dry white wine. The Cognac cask seems to not have interrupted too much with the HP character, but these weird white wine notes is unheard of in my book. The taste is sweet, zesty, vanilla, strawberry, onions, white grapes, lime, sour, mango, not lemon sour, more bitter sour like pickled olives. The finish is dry vinegar, spirity, banana leaves. I must say that I did not expect such a bitter experience here. I'd say "no, thank you" to the finishing.
Highland Park only needs one cask!: 4.5
Highland Park 21yo 1975-1996 52.9% Signatory Vintage cask#4326 btl.141/760
After that superb 1966 from the same bottler, what will this almost ten years older vintage bring to the table. Remember, the 43% 1977 was a very good whisky. The color is golden. It smells of cream, vanilla, honey, thick, mascarpone cheese, vegetable stock, boiled asparagus and broccoli, salty, ammonium, licorice, interesting! The taste is sweet, cinnamon, oranges, honey, bitter leaves, onions, heather, burnt notes, dark chocolate, grassy, pineapple, these creamy sour notes that's hard to explain. I think this one of the better HP's I've ever gotten a chance to try. Despite unusual, and neither peaty, smoky or coastal, it's that thick, creamy sour notes that makes this baby shine even more than what Thor and Odin, and them ones does shine.
Super whisky, and still available, get one before its too late: 9
Next tasting: Strathisla Distillery
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