This Highland Park 1989 was released towards the end of 2018 by Gordon & MacPhail in their Connoisseurs Choice range. It quickly gained a large following and a high score on Whiskybase.
Highland Park 29 yo 1989
(57%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 2018, refill sherry butt, 613 btl.)
Highland Park 29 yo 1989Nose: dry sherry, a pleasant combination of heady, waxy notes with yellow apples, blood orange and plenty of herbs (rosemary). Nice tobacco leaves and leather. Some charred oak and earthy notes. A faint hint of balsamic.
Mouth: some fruitiness (pomegranate, pink grapefruit, red berries) quickly joined by these herbal notes and leafy touches. Tobacco again, as well as heather and a bitterness of burnt wood. Espresso and leather, but brighter citrus / sour cherries and marmalade too.
Finish: long, with a sweet and sour balance, walnuts, spices and puffs of smoke.
A nice example of this dry sherry profile with sour fruity notes. A lot of charred wood influence but a very nice end result nonetheless. Still available from The Whisky Barrel.
Score: 90/100