Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 3

Highland Park Cask Strength 3 is absolutely not subtle. If you're not seeking a "wow" factor, then look elsewhere. Similar to all these HP Cask Strength releases, they are incredibly bold, excessive, and genuinely thrilling. I recently likened HP Cask Strength 3 to an Olympic Gymnast when describing it to someone. These contenders arrive in flawless condition. With impressive physiques, spectators recognize their immense capability beyond imagination. Suddenly, the gymnast sprints, performs flips and leaps, twisting and turning in a complex display that resembles a blossoming orchid emerging from flames. It's intense, yet elegant – powerful, yet restrained. This embodies the essence of Highland Park Cask Strength. It's completely in your face, yet still manages to showcase the skill and refinement for which Highland Park is renowned. It's like a can of Monster Energy filled with roses, and I'm... perfectly fine with that. The aroma features caramel and Werther's Originals alongside orange peel, apricot, and raisin. A creamy note softens other sharper elements, accompanied by spun sugar and dried corn. Pineapple contributes a tropical element, and adding a bit of water reveals grilled corn. On the palate, there's intense sweetness with significant heat. Honestly, discerning individual notes is quite challenging until you add a drop of water. Then, you start to detect maple, oak, cinnamon, pancake, and biscuits. This spirit possesses a rich, savory character. Yes, it's like a wood chipper, but one that enjoys literature and public radio. It's safe to say this dram leaves a powerful impression with its finish. Describing it as "lingering" would be a massive understatement. It fully builds a campfire in your throat and stays the night under a starry sky. Then it awakens, feeling rejuvenated, and suggests an extended stay, which you permit, fearing refusal might lead to aggression. Considering all this, this isn't a Highland Park to share with acquaintances, neighbors, or loved ones. This is a Highland Park reserved for "that" individual, the one craving the spectacle – the type who prefers a delicate leaf on their latte while watching a monster truck demolish vehicles.

There was a period when one could find Highland Park expressions like the 12, 15, 18, 21, or 25 year old. Then came the shift towards Nordic-themed marketing and the move away from age statements. This confusing and unfocused marketing strategy diverted them from their core strengths. Hopefully, this release signifies a return to what they do best: a high-quality, flavorful whisky with a clear objective – good, straightforward scotch. This bottling comes in at a full 64.1% ABV, so expect it to be potent. Nose: A sherry-forward aroma featuring raisins, plums, and figs, accompanied by petrichor; damp leaves and earth. It evokes the scent of S'mores charred over a bonfire. The ethanol vapors persist but do not detract from the nose; in fact, they emphasize the bottling's strength. Palate: With its intensity, the tongue becomes somewhat desensitized and tingles. Once the initial prickling subsides, the sherry influence envelops the palate with notes of raisins and cinnamon, dark chocolate, black pepper, and salted peanuts. Finish: A lengthy finish leaves behind hints of soot and ash, oak, walnuts, and caramel. It offers a balance of sweet and savory. With Water: Naturally, water smooths out the sharpness and rounds the edges. However, the whisky's distinct character is diminished. It becomes more approachable and enhances the sherry influence. Overall: A well-balanced yet powerful whisky. The flavor is bold and unapologetic. The taste is deep and rich. The earthy sweetness is distinctive. The sherry-driven sweetness balances the savory elements. Water moderates it somewhat; small additions are recommended for dilution. While slightly expensive compared to the standard HP12, it's justified by the fact that you're getting a concentrated version. If the flavor profile were slightly more pronounced, it would rank among the top-tier whiskies. A delicious pour that avoids the marketing trends Highland Park pursued a few years ago. This is how it should be. [90/100] [$99][Tasted: 12/28/24]

Despite my dislike for Highland Park's recent marketing direction, the brand holds sentimental value for me, as it was my introduction to peated whisky. I've only sampled the standard 12-year expression, both before and after the marketing shift. My last tasting suggested a decline compared to the pre-Viking bottlings. However, hearing positive feedback about the latest cask strength release prompted me to try it. While the marketing team seems out of touch, let's assess the whisky itself. The nose presents notes of orange, honey, and vanilla, with a subtle peat presence. There's a slight sourness that alternates between being slightly off-putting and pleasant, especially when I perceive it as fresh orange. The palate has a nice oily texture. The sherry influence is prominent, continuing the orange theme while adding berry and dark chocolate notes. I understood this to be their most heavily peated cask strength release. The peat is definitely present, particularly in the finish, but I had anticipated more. The peat has a distinct heathery character, more pronounced than I recall from the 12-year. It's very drinkable neat despite the high proof, and it also accepts water well, although the peat and fruit seemed to lessen while the honey became more pronounced. This is a solid whisky. I do feel it's a bit overpriced, but then again, most things seem to be right now. I'm giving it 4 stars.

Opened 9 months ago. Smell: Pungent honey, sweet flowers, potent grain, artificial grape candy, woods after rain, burning wood, and intense alcohol. Taste: Earthy wine, dried grapes, dried figs, damp straw, minty leaves, lemon zest, and smoky earth. The end lingers with smoke, damp earth, grain, sweet malt, honey, dried grapes, and moderate alcohol. This is a significant improvement over the first version. The initial release was far too strong and smoky. I passed on the second release, not expecting much improvement, but the growing praise for releases two and three compelled me to try it. I still feel it needs a bit more, perhaps a touch more wine character and a few more years aging. If that occurs, it might be the top value cask strength Scotch below $100.

Nose: Malt and peat forward, with a black pepper lingering. Pretty tight nose. Palate: Effervescent, spicy malt, candied lemon peel, peat, savory saltiness like burnt bacon. As you continue to sip, the red fruit from the finish becomes more prominent. Finish: Long finish, the acrid peat and light, sweet honey last a while. The red fruit makes a longer and longer appearance as you continue to sip.

Heather honey and smoked mangoes... delightful! It's noticeably smokier/peatier than any other Highland Park I've experienced. This is my top pick from all the cask strength batches released to date.