Overall rating
90.62/100
ratings
68
Whiskybase ID
WB219603
Category
Single Malt
Bottler
Cadenhead's (CA)
Bottling series
Cadenhead's Club
Vintage
1985
Bottled
2022
Stated Age
37 years
Cask Type
Bourbon
Number of bottles
318
Strength
46.1 %
Size
700 ml
Added on
20 oct 2022 9:56 am by Tonny T
UncoloredNon-chill FilteredCask StrengthSingle Cask Whisky
Photo by Tonny T
Overall rating
90.62/100
ratings
68

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Whisky reviews for A Highland Distillery 1985 CA

22 users have left 22 reviews for this whisky. Average rating is 90.62 points.

Read the reviews
  1. plutoes scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    A quiet conversation between dried flowers and herbs, hidden beneath an easy, comforting drinkability.
    • Nose
      The alcohol presence is negligible, while the aromatic volume is extremely high.
      Rich aromas of mixed-flower honey, dried orange wheels, dried mango generously dusted with sugar, and dried pineapple emerge boldly.
      Ripe red apples and pears add a fruity character, accompanied by a gentle, non-sharp citrus note reminiscent of lemon syrup. There is also a subtle maltiness akin to steamed barley, along with a slight musty rancio note suggestive of oyster mushrooms.
      Herbal notes of thyme and bay leaf are present but not assertive, joined by a cool freshness of pine needles. This element, in particular, is highly appealing.
      If the profile had stopped at dried tropical fruits, deep honey, lively fruitiness, and citrus, it would have been simply “a good nose.” What elevates it is the underlying herbal layer—never loud, yet clearly present—which acts as the defining kick and greatly enhances its charm.
    • Taste
      The body sits around medium, with almost no alcohol prickle and an silky mouthfeel.
      Sweet mixed-flower honey and dried floral notes appear first, followed by fruity tones of pear, baked apple, and quince spreading across the palate.
      As it moves into the mid-palate, dried flowers and fruit continue, joined by citrus notes blending orange and lime, along with a refreshing pine-needle character.
      Even toward the back end, dried floral and fruit notes persist. Roasted barley adds a nutty maltiness, while licorice brings a gentle sweetness. Hints of thyme and slightly bitter, leafy vegetables like arugula add further complexity.
      This is not a whisky that delivers explosive fruitiness. Instead, it offers excellent drinkability and invites enjoyment of layered complexity built around honey, dried flowers, and restrained fruit, complemented by roasted barley, pine needles, thyme, and arugula.
    • Finish
      The finish carries on with respectable intensity and a medium-to-long duration.
      On the retronasal finish, mixed-flower honey, dried flowers, and dried orange dominate, supported by biscuit-like maltiness and roasted barley, along with quince, thyme, bay leaf, lime zest, and pine needles. A soft hint of licorice lingers in the background.
      On the palate, dried flowers, roasted barley, and pear take center stage, followed by dried orange, mixed-flower honey, bay leaf, and licorice, with lime zest subtly echoing through the finish.

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