Nose

A surprisingly oaky start for a young Highland Park; spicy and subdued peat as well. Lacks the usual distillery balance.

Palate

Massively spicy start, though once the big honey-peat middle kicks in, this soon fades. Some sherry fruitiness makes itself evident, but succeeds only in flattening the palate.

Finish

Quite long and peaty but otherwise featureless.

Comment

Only the fabulous honey-peat core saves this from being something of a disappointment. I have always felt the Highland Park is a malt that suffers at the hands of a sherry cask and this sample, while having one or two fabulous moments, rather proves the p