Highland Park 15 Year Old, 43% ABV, $79 USD
- Nose: Lemon, orange, musty peat smoke, vanilla, room temperature butter, and honey.
- Taste: Honey and lemon, smokey oak, there is a herbal element to it which is hard to pint-point, white chocolate, pepper, slight salty/coastal note which reminds me of Old Pulteney.
- Finish: Medium/long length, slightly drying, chocolate, pepper, and smoke linger.
- Thoughts: Great balance to this, nothing dominates. Decent viscosity assuming it’s chill filtered. Reminds me of a poorman’s version of Johnnie Walker Blue. The level of smoke, balance, and velvety smoothness are pretty similar. Huge improvement over Highland Park 12 year.
- Score: 87 + 0.5 value point(s) = 87.5/100
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Scores:
After my initial score I will add or subtract points relative on how I perceive value (based on what I paid for the bottle). A zero value means I think the price is justified.
0-69.5 – Don’t bother trying, life is too short for bad spirit.
70-79.5 – Worth trying, but you’re not missing out if you don’t.
80-84.5 – I recommend trying.
85-87.5 – Definitely try this!
88-92.5 – I recommend buying a bottle blind!
93-95.5 – Stuff you reserve for special pours!
96+ – The meaning of life.
Toronto Whisky Society 