Cadenheads Small Batch Highland Park 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Highland Park needs no introduction.

This very unusual limited offer from independent bottler, Cadenheads, is an attractive alternative to the ultra aged distillery releases. Considering the official Highland Park 30 Year Old is retailing at around $600 in Australia, this cask strength release at half the price represents solid value.

Distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2013 at 55.7% Alc./Vol. Matured in Sherry butts and limited to 1086 bottles.

Tasting note: The deep copper / mahogany colour is remarkable. Signature notes of peat laced honey and cocoa on the opening sniff include a considerable dose of sweet spice. Second pass finds wool-shed and lanolin. Coming back to this in 10-20 minutes and you get an altogether different malt - cocoa dusted dried fruits and almost rum-like sugars which anticipate the palate - a fat, dense and atypical expression oozing dried fruits, brittle toffee and dark chocolate in a tremendous bitter sweet attack. No shortage of spices as the massive oak leaves only tingly peppers and a faint residual sweetness. For all of its power this hasn't conceded its complexities. 55.7% Alc./Vol.