Highland Park Cask Strength Edition (Scandinavian Release)

It's been quite some time since my last assessment. Nearly a month has passed since the Stay Home, Stay Safe directive was issued in Michigan, and one might assume I'd use this period to deeply engage in reviews. This hasn't been the reality. Instead, I've been focused on making mixed drinks and unwinding. Well, it's time to alter that routine slightly. I obtained this bottle of HP Cask Strength, which appears distinct from the one shown in the listing (the bottle creation tool seems non-functional at present). This particular bottle, based on the available information, is likely batch 3 of the cask strength expression and might have been exclusive to the Swedish market. It registers at a substantial 63% ABV, is non chill filtered, and possesses a natural dark amber color with orange undertones. A friend gifted me this bottle in December 2019. The nose is powerful, initially dominated by alcohol and very boozy. It seems quite reserved at first but eventually opens up. Notes of tangerines and an earthy, sweaty funk emerge, along with eucalyptus, light sherry, vanilla, and green grapes. It required the addition of some water. It becomes significantly fruitier with a touch of warmed sherry. The tangerines and vanilla are more prominent, joined by raspberries, strawberries, and grape skins. It has a buttery, fatty, and waxy character. Light toasted oak, walnuts, fudge, and spicy chocolate are present. Roasted malt, caramel, and honey with a faint grassy note are also detected. Adding water is definitely the recommended approach here. The palate, consumed neat, is HOT. Intense tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, oranges, and pineapple are present. It's too overwhelming to enjoy beyond the initial sips. Adding water truly helps. It diminishes most of the heat, and the tropical fruits persist, but they become much more palatable. A subtle smoky note and some barrel char are noticeable. It's sweet, but not in a sugary way; rather, a fruity sweetness. Spicy oak, honey, a hint of tannin, and a touch of lemon/lime are present. The mouthfeel is full-bodied, hot, thick, syrupy, and coats the mouth when neat. With water added, it becomes medium full-bodied, oily, mouth-coating, and mouthwatering. The finish is long with honey and sweet heat when neat. With water, it's medium long with wood spice, fruity notes, and honey. While the flavors are exceptionally intense and concentrated at cask strength, it's simply too much to enjoy. Diluting it to around 46% (or thereabouts, as I lack a hydrometer) is the ideal point for this spirit. Even reducing it further, approaching the 'scotch mist' level, is preferable to consuming it straight from the bottle for me. Overall, it's youthful and somewhat rough, yet still delicious and enjoyable if you experiment with water. Neat, I'd rate it only a 3.25, but achieving the optimal dilution elevates it to a 3.75. Cheers. You can explore this one on the Dapper Dams YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/sQVsrfFLMv0

I tried the version sold in Sweden, 350ml, 63% alcohol by volume. Smell: Damp, almost marshy. Reminds me of wet, fallen leaves that have turned brown. There's also a sweetness like marmalade. Light peat, not intensely fiery, more subdued. It's acceptable, but not particularly captivating. Taste: The marmalade flavor comes through. Dark strawberry jam. Nicely balanced by the light peat. Very pleasing. Aftertaste: Medium short. The peat and dampness linger slightly, along with the marmalade. No significant bitterness, but a subtle nutty quality. Quite enjoyable. Overall: High alcohol content. I diluted it to just under 50%. The boggy aroma (almost like decay) isn't entirely appealing. However, it's restrained by the jam-like qualities, which are very prominent, especially on the palate. The light peat is just enough to complement and elevate the sweet sherry notes. In the end, 3.75 out of 5 (being a bit generous). I prefer this to the 12 year old. Still need to try the 18 year old (have a bottle ready to open).

This Highland Park Cask Strength Edition (57.1% ABV), bottled exclusively for the Scandinavian market, sets high expectations. It's youthful, almost evoking a bourbon, with an aroma of vanilla, honey, and wood polish. When water is added, hints of vegetation, moss, and sour berries appear. The taste is rough and quite immature, with bitter herbs dominating before a faint peatiness emerges. The finish is quick, mineral, and slightly metallic. Did Highland Park truly believe that eager Nordic consumers wouldn't detect the absence of depth and complexity? It appears most certainly didn't... RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 79 pts → AVERAGE

When assessed blind against the 12 yo, Ambassador's 10 yo, and Valfather, this was the least remarkable, a bit too common and just adequate. Nevertheless, it is a Highland Park and quite pleasant. I ended up using it to raise the ABV of the 12 yo to around 46%, and for that purpose, it is superb!

This is so good! The proof has changed a few times, judging by the look of it; mine has the new HP bottle design and is at 60.8%.

Very potent! Lots of alcohol. Slightly smoky, yet the delicate flavors of sherry and vanilla are still present.