Highland Park 25 Year

I purchased this bottle over six months ago with the intention of keeping it as an investment. My father visited in late summer, and after an evening of considerable drinking, he attempted to persuade me to open it. I convinced him it would be a waste in our state and returned it to the bar. Months later, I brought the bottle to my father's house, hoping we could find an occasion to open it. He declined and suggested a round of golf. During the game, I witnessed my 68-year-old father achieve his first Hole In One. Naturally, this bottle had to be opened in celebration. Congratulations again, Dad! I've now sampled this four times in the last three weeks and feel ready to share my thoughts. Here goes... This Highland Park 25 Year Old comes in at a slightly elevated ABV (45.7%) and presents an oily, golden yellow in the glass. The legs formed slowly and were thin, with each swirl releasing more of the incredible aroma. It required over 30 minutes of resting to fully open up. And open up it did! The nose is astounding, beginning with a prominent bittersweet chocolate note. The strong sherry influence is ever-present, but the standout is the toffee-coated dark berries. Freshly picked raspberries and blackberries greet the sophisticated nose, along with a pleasant hint of rich, dried tobacco. It's truly captivating and the highlight of this dram – an aroma that could be appreciated all day. The palate delivers generously with sweet sherry, caramel, and honey, along with that satisfying roasted cocoa again. The initial mouthfeel is rich. I detected minimal peated malt, but the entire sip was very warming, yet simultaneously drying. I anticipated the lower ABV would result in a more oily texture, but it didn't materialize; it actually dried out quite quickly, more so than I would have preferred. The finish is also quite sweet, transforming this into a true dessert dram. A brief note of peppery oak fades into a somewhat mellow and short final impression. The first-fill Oloroso casks seem to dominate the complexity here, in my opinion, but the chocolate and sherry notes linger until you cleanse your palate or have another sip. My overall impression is that it doesn't quite surpass my fondest memories of the 18 year old, which is disappointing given the steep price ($525). It remains a magnificent whisky and showcases the best of Highland Park, but I truly desired a layer of peat and perhaps a slightly higher ABV to complete it. I believe older bottlings had higher proofs, which I think would have greatly benefited this one as well, providing a bit of a punch to counteract the sweetness. If the 18 year old is a 99/100, this one falls slightly short at a 92-93, I believe. It's still close to a 5-star dram due to its rarity and pedigree, but for value, I'd stick with the 18 for now. I will be sad when this bottle is finished, but I doubt I'll replace it or even consider the 30 year old. The 18 year old at $130 is an incredible bargain. Let's hope Highland Park doesn't discontinue it anytime soon. Cheers. PS- Thanks for enduring this lengthy review. Give yourself a gold star for reaching the end.

It's the final Friday before Christmas. I'm currently in a quiet house. The calm before the rush. A moment for thoughtful time with a mature scotch. What an ideal time to sip and savor. A beautiful, rich amber color initiates the experience. A soft yet noticeable aroma. Sherry is dominant. Sultanas, figs, banana. The spice of cinnamon, the sweetness of brown sugar and butterscotch (or toffee). That's right from the start. Allow it time to rest, giving this aged whisky the opportunity to awaken (a good 25+ minutes). Bitter chocolate and the scent of a freshly opened cigar, just before it's lit. Oranges with nutmeg (like the craft you made in elementary school for the holidays). I almost hesitate to sip it because I could enjoy this aroma all day. This arrives on the palate with a gentle entry, delivered by a silky texture. There are hints of toffee sweetness, but they vanish almost as quickly. Glimpses of dark chocolate and toasted coconut reappear with the sweet vanilla and toffee from the initial arrival. The palate is somewhat brief and transitions rapidly between flavors, which is somewhat surprising given its age. The finish is the strong point of this whisky. Orange bitters with a hint of cinnamon spice. Oak's drying tannins absorb the moisture from the palate. The mouth is ultimately left with cloves and toffee that seem to last indefinitely. This whisky is meant for sipping, reflecting, and pausing time. The strength of this brand lies in its core range and aged statement whiskies. They excel at what they do. Their recent exploration into non-age-statement whiskies, in my view, distracts from their core competency; their NAS offerings are underwhelming. For the cost, I would consistently choose their 18 year old expression as the quality for the price is unmatched. This 25 year old, while fantastic, is financially out of reach for many. And for me, I am very grateful for the chance a friend gave me to try this scotch. I almost certainly would never have had the opportunity otherwise. And on this eve before Christmas Eve; to the members of the group, thank you all for the many chances. Cheers and best wishes for health and happiness! [94/100][Tasted: 12/22/17]

Part three of the “Premium Highland Park samples from a friend” series of reviews. Tonight is the highly praised 25 year old. This is essentially the same spirit as the 18 year old but with a greater amount of first fill sherry casks. Bottled at 45.7% ABV, natural color of dark copper and most likely non chill filtered. The nose is all sweet sherry initially. Sweet, but not overly sweet. It’s refined. Full of warm wood and lovely fruits. Lots of cherries, oranges and raisins. Almonds, marzipan, maple syrup, toffee and sherry. Furniture polish but in a pleasant way. Very light mint, more cherries and dark toffee. Mocha, chocolate and savory tobacco. Honey, vanilla and a faint thread of smoke. There is a slight alcohol note but otherwise this is a fantastic nosing spirit. The palate begins, unfortunately, with some bitter oak. It follows the nose with cherries, almonds and marzipan. Oranges, tobacco, very light smoke and sherry. It’s also slightly astringent with a little pepper. I have to say it is surprisingly lacking in depth given its age, but the flavors it does have are robust. A medium bodied mouthfeel that is very oily, mouthwatering and mouth coating. A medium short finish that is mostly bitter oak with cherries and sherry. I will give this warning to anyone who has the opportunity to try this one...NO WATER! I had a bit left in my glencairn, about a quarter ounce or 15mL and decided to try a bit of water to see if it helped with the bitterness. Killed the nose and did nothing for the bitterness. While this 25 year old does not have the best nose on a spirit I’ve ever had, it is still fantastic. The mouthfeel is luxurious. It’s a shame the palate and finish lessened all the good things leading up to them. If I had paid the $600 that this goes for around here I would have been a little disappointed. But at that price it’s hard to justify anyways. I’m incredibly lucky to have tried some at all and immensely grateful for my friend who sent me this sample. 4.5 stars Cheers

Nose - Exhibits sherry notes, a hint of brininess, salt, peat, and a very well-crafted baked bread aroma. This nose is reminiscent of scotch, encompassing characteristics found in top-tier expressions. For peat lovers, there's a subtle presence, and sherry is prominent. The malt provides a balanced sweetness. Taste - Oak and vanilla appear first, yielding to sherry fruits and spices, concluding with peat and dominant notes of aged oak and antique furniture. Adding water enhances the fruit flavors and diminishes the sweet vanilla. Finish - It warms the palate with oak spice and sherry, leaving a pleasant impression of mature oak. This expression contains a complete profile: a suitable ABV, a pleasing mouthfeel, a touch of peat, significant sherry influence, and a finish of aged oak and leather. For those considering a step into 25-year-old scotch in the $400+ price range, this is an excellent introductory option, offering a comprehensive scotch experience. It's understandable why some have awarded it perfect scores, and why friends of mine purchase multiple bottles annually. Personally, I desire a bit more peat or sherry for a perfect score. Its balanced approach makes it highly accessible for entering the premium market, but I reserve perfect scores for expressions that excel in a specific area.

This is the 45.7% ABV version. No dilution needed for this exceptional spirit. Many thanks to a friend for the sample. This dram is truly breathtaking. The aroma presents deep, sweet dark fruits, bourbon, floral heather, cinnamon, and sherry. The palate features tropical notes of coconut, pineapple, and oranges, alongside dark chocolate, and all the elements found in the 18-year-old. It's like an intensified version of Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask. While some may find the bitterness off-putting, I appreciate its role in balancing the sweet and savory aspects. The $600 price point is quite high for my preference; at $300-$400, it would feel more justified, but we are discussing a 25-year-old whiskey. The finish is a bit too dry for my liking. An epic theme song for this dram would be "The Gates of Delirium" by Yes. A score of 4.75!

If you've ever witnessed a tai chi practitioner, this spirit is analogous: exceptionally smooth, light yet substantial, and potent without appearing so. Balanced: that's the key descriptor for this bottling. While I found the 18 year old balanced, this redefines the term. Personally, I found the aroma to be the most impressive aspect – similar to its younger counterpart but more polished, as expected with an additional seven years of aging. The palate is silky, viscous, and oily. If I were to nitpick, the finish has a slight, almost imperceptible bitterness. Given its current market price, I'm uncertain if I'd choose this over the 18 year old, as the differences don't seem to justify the significant price increase. However, if I were receiving a tax refund, this would be among my top five purchases. Thanks to a friend for the sample!