| Bottle Profile | |
| Type | Scotch Single Malts (Disclosed Distilleries) |
| Distillery | Highland Park |
| Bottler | Douglas Laing |
| Range | Platinum Old & Rare |
| Brand Name | Highland Park |
| Age | 33 |
| Year Distilled | 1978 |
| Year Bottled | 2011 |
| Alcohol By Volume | 55.7% |
| Bottles | 207 |
| Issued | 2011 |
| Average Score | 87 |
| Maniac Ratings | |
| Robert Karlsson | 84 |
| Konstantin Grigoriadis | 92 |
| Rich Howard | 90 |
| David Wankel | 89 |
| Keith Wood | 89 |
| Oliver Klimek | 80 |
| Retired Maniac Ratings | |
| Ho-cheng Yao | 83 |
| Ralf Mitchell | 89 |
| Tasting Notes | |
| Robert Karlsson | The sulphur-detector beeps again. Although a bit faint this time. Dry sourly raisin, raspy wood. Some chocolate. Not bad. Raisin of the mouth-coating kind. Drier aftertaste, leather. And a wee bit gunpowdery at the end. Quite intriguing one although perhaps not exactly my style. |
| Rich Howard | the nose is sweet with raspberry coulis, spicy with white pepper, and savory with maple-glazed root vegetables, also some candle wax, distant fields of heather, leather gloves, maybe a trace of sour peat water on the finish, and plenty of wine-soaked oak throughout. the palate follows suit, with an initial hit of sweet and tangy fruit punch, then some mulled wine with cinnamon and clove, some rope, turning savory and oaky, a handful of dry twigs and wine-soaked charred wood on the finish, quite tannic. a drop of water accents the sweeter notes on the nose, plenty of berry reduction now, some orange marmalade, ginger candies, milk chocolate and a dash of vanilla. the savory notes are less pronounced and nicely integrated. the reduced palate is very spicy and tannic now, plenty of mulled wine spices, but also a hint of strawberry balsamic vinegar on the finish. summary: sweet, spicy and savory, fairly heavy on the wood... plenty of room to work with water here. [tasted blind for the 2011 Awards] |
| Keith Wood | Glass: Classic Malt - Colour: Rich gold - Nose: This is what I can only describe as warm, very warm and soothing. Do I sense toasted coconut macaroon? Then comes a countryside farm with lots of fresh air and light farminess. This is followed by a very gentle smokiness as if yesterdays bonfire or BBQ is still glowing lightly. More time in the glass allows the smokiness to expand and include a faint peatiness. This just gets better and better as time passes. - Palate: The palate is also smooth, gentle and very soothing with that initial farminess and fresh air of the nose being repeated on the palate. This is Scottish countryside at its best. There's also just a hint of (wood) smoke over a light nuttiness too. - Finish: Long and very sophisticated. - Overall impression: Wonderful, truly wonderful. |