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Highland Park 25 Year Old

Rich and indulgent

0 393

@DellnolaReview by @Dellnola

6th Dec 2010

0

Highland Park 25 Year Old
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
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  • Overall
    93

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

Nose: bourbon-like woody sweetness, Christmasy spice like nutmeg, maraschino cherries.

Palate: rich caramel and maple syrup being supported by aromatic (herbal?) peat and smoke

Finish: smokey and sweet, like eating a candy apple next to a campfire

I found this whisky to be very indulgent. The price is expensive, however, I don't feel like I wasted my money. I know that many many will probably disagree with me, but I find the local Orkney peat that HP uses much more aromatic than Islay peat. Whatever your opinion, Orkney peat is definitely unique.

My notes differ from others' in that I don't find this whisky less balanced than the 18 year old. The 25 shares many similarities with the 18. The two main differences between the two that I note are as follows:

1) They both have an initial sweetness but the HP 18 is a more nutty toffee sweetness and the HP 25 is a more rich caramel or maple syrup.

2) The finish on the HP 18 is a more dry smoke and the HP 25 finish has the smoke but with some background sweetness.

Overall, well worth it and if you like the HP 18 like I do, you'll be pleased to discover what 7 more years does.

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3 comments

@jwise
jwise commented

I just tasted (and reviewed) the HP 25 today. It is indeed "indulgent!" I found it similar to the 18yr, but even better.

13 years ago 0

@Dellnola
Dellnola commented

Great review jwise! I must say that the HP 18 has a slight edge in my mind but it's probably mostly for sentimental reasons. I honestly find it really difficult to review Highland Park whiskies in an unbiased manner because I really adore the distillery. I don't work for them, I just love their stuff!

13 years ago 0

@CJames
CJames commented

I'm Hopefully getting a bottle of this for my birthday in March. Tried it once at a bar and fell in love! Easily one of the best whiskys i've ever had. Such an amazing nose and beautiful rich complex palate. It is a very different dram to the 18, but thats a given with extra maturation - it really stands out in the 25, something I really love in a whisky.

13 years ago 0