This is only the second bottling the Amazing Casks series by Malts of Scotland, after a Bowmore 1995/2010. It’s a range for exceptional casks selected by Thomas Ewers (Mr. Malts of Scotland) and Luc Timmermans (Mr. Glenfarclas / Thosop). This one is a Highland Park distilled in 1986.
Highland Park 26 yo 1986 (54,1%, Malts of Scotland ‘Amazing Casks’ 2012, bourbon hogshead, MoS 12053, 245 btl.)
Highland Park 26 yo 1986 (54,1%, Malts of Scotland ‘Amazing Casks’ 2012, bourbon hogshead, MoS 12053, 245 btl.)Nose: a mixture of austere notes (flints, wet chalk and grasses), fruity notes (ripe gooseberries and apple compote) and spicy notes (ginger). Also wax, hay and heather. Hmmm, a little aspirin as well. Very clean and sharp, pretty mineral and coastal too.
Mouth: straight on apples and lots of them. Then some grasses and heather again, now also floral notes. Grapefruit and gradually also other fruits like pear sweets. Loads of ginger, pepper and mint. Liquorice. Hints of pine resin and minerals as well. Slightly bitter and salty towards the end.
Finish: long, peppery, suddenly gains sweetness now, and a smoky edge.
A nice Highland Park but there’s a distinctive anti-roundness that bothers me. Similar to the Highland Park 1986 bottled last year in that respect. Maybe not totally ‘amazing’ but I know many people loved it at Spirits in the Sky. Around € 160.
Score: 87/100