hs305 scored this whisky 88 points 
[November, 2018] This release scored very high in the most recent "Whisky Magazine" tasting with 90 points from Rob and 92 points from Lyndsey. So I am very curious if my own taste buds confirm these high scores or support the rather low ratings here at WB...
...and they are in line with the average-only scores here at WB, unfortunately. This is an easy drinkable but not very interesting dram that offers just very little of the usual excellent Highland Park profile. It is fairly priced given its average-only quality - but what did both experts of the "Whisky Magazine" find in there to score it 90+ points? Another good reason to just rely on your own taste and not on that of so-called experts...
[October, 2019] This seems to be a dram for people that own super-tasting senses because Jim scored it 94 points and both Serge and Angus from whiskyfun 88 points (which is pretty high by their standards). I have to re-taste it using a big spheric blender's glass...
...and indeed, the nose offers a more impressive profile this way with basically the same aromas and additional old style waxy notes. I rate this nose 88 points tonight (by the way, out of a standard Glencairn glass it stays unimpressive at 85 points). Oops, the taste is much better tonight with additional honey and tasty chocolatey flavours in a spicy-salty mix. I go for 89 points here. The mouthfeel still is a little weak without any significant coating but the minor drying-astringent feeling is gone tonight. The finish seems to be longer and spicier without the drying moments (I am very well rested today) and I go for 87 points on this dimension tonight.
It is very interesting to see how different the tasting impressions of the very same dram can be - some people attribute this to oxydation or other physical effects but I think it is mainly due to the changing constitution of your own taste (buds) depending whether you are rested or stressed, happy or sad, hungry or fed up etc. That is why it is always advisable to taste drams at several different settings before deciding to buy expensive bottles (or turn down bargains)...
...and they are in line with the average-only scores here at WB, unfortunately. This is an easy drinkable but not very interesting dram that offers just very little of the usual excellent Highland Park profile. It is fairly priced given its average-only quality - but what did both experts of the "Whisky Magazine" find in there to score it 90+ points? Another good reason to just rely on your own taste and not on that of so-called experts...
[October, 2019] This seems to be a dram for people that own super-tasting senses because Jim scored it 94 points and both Serge and Angus from whiskyfun 88 points (which is pretty high by their standards). I have to re-taste it using a big spheric blender's glass...
...and indeed, the nose offers a more impressive profile this way with basically the same aromas and additional old style waxy notes. I rate this nose 88 points tonight (by the way, out of a standard Glencairn glass it stays unimpressive at 85 points). Oops, the taste is much better tonight with additional honey and tasty chocolatey flavours in a spicy-salty mix. I go for 89 points here. The mouthfeel still is a little weak without any significant coating but the minor drying-astringent feeling is gone tonight. The finish seems to be longer and spicier without the drying moments (I am very well rested today) and I go for 87 points on this dimension tonight.
It is very interesting to see how different the tasting impressions of the very same dram can be - some people attribute this to oxydation or other physical effects but I think it is mainly due to the changing constitution of your own taste (buds) depending whether you are rested or stressed, happy or sad, hungry or fed up etc. That is why it is always advisable to taste drams at several different settings before deciding to buy expensive bottles (or turn down bargains)...
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The colour is pale gold and the nose offers the profile of a rather exhausted cask that did not contribute a lot to the whisky. There are some fruits (pineapples), some oils and shy honeys within a chalky-mineral setting. No off-notes but not very impressive, too. In a blind setting I never ever would have guessed this is a HP...
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The taste is a little better on sweet sugars, some light peaty (bonfire) and maritime notes. Later some spices kick in with a nice salty touch. It is not complex but delicate and again without any flaw. Easy to sip but not interesting to explore - one to drink when you do not want to focus on the drink but on something different (a good conversation, playing cards or the like). Water is a chequered affair: On one side it flattens the anyhow not very impressive dram further but on the other side it takes off the drying-astringent mouthfeel and finish which turns the whisky smoother. I like it best when reduced to about 40% abv.
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The whisky arrives warming but just very little coating on the palate with a minor drying-astringent mouthfeel (which is another typical characteristics of leached casks). The finish is of medium length with more peaty flavours that are very welcomed to enrich the taste. It gets a little drying (ashy) towards the end but this is not a big deal and it vanishes completely with the somewhat reduced dram.
