Highland Park Tasting - 15 Feb 2008

[TreacleSponge]

After a break for something to eat have resumed on the Hart Brothers 18yo and it's amazing how closely it resembles Nicks note for the 18yo O.b. even though it appears to be more 2nd or 3rd refill than the dark (Farven Justeret Med E150 !) release ......

SoI, what is the E number?

[TreacleSponge]

What a shame, C57. Fancy overpowering all that lovely complexity. What a waste.

[mikeymad]

Some time may help out C57... I have known beverages on first tast to be one sided at the beginning, then open up over time....

come back to in the future.

[Matt2]

Good evening all, got my HP 12 in one hand, but I have a cigar in the other and coffee next to it so a tasting note is pointless.

All goes quite nicely together, the coffe and cigar bring out some nice sweet fruity notes in the whisky, but the subtle smoke of HP is lost...

[Spirit of Islay]

SoI, what is the E number?

The Dreaded caramel Word.......

[TreacleSponge]

Hi Matt and Matt's smelly cigar

Glad you turned up - I wanted to open an 18, but didn't want to drink alone

[mikeymad]

Good to here C57.....

Nice Combo Matt. That is all a part of the tasting process as well.

what is the you are having... ??

[TreacleSponge]

SoI, what is the E number?

The Dreaded caramel Word.......

Oh of course. But how would you know that? Does it get listed as an ingredient?

[mikeymad]

SoI, what is the E number?

The Dreaded caramel Word.......

Argh....

[TreacleSponge]

Wow - just opened the 18yo. I was really enjoying the 12, but this is promising to be so much better!

[Matt2]

Its a Trinidad Reyes, I've been looking forward to it all week

Go for it Treacle, I think the 18 may be one of my favourites now. I seem to be going for the younger ones now instead of the 30s.

[mikeymad]

Trinidad Reyes.... nice. that is at least one that I can get. I get frustrated all the time when people are having Cubans all over the place.....

good call..

[TreacleSponge]

On my jollies cigars seemed to be a big deal (more than I've noticed in Europe) - New Orleans had fancy cigar shops and Costa Rica bars all had signs advertising Cuban cigars. Are Cuban cigars really so much better than others then?

[mikeymad]

Is scotch whisky better than other whisky....????

They are some of the highest rated cigars in the world. And from the handfull that I have had, they are really good.

[Spirit of Islay]

Oh of course. But how would you know that? Does it get listed as an ingredient?

It says that on the Rear Label ......

[Matt2]

I do like a nice Cuban, but I guess it is the same as some people think the only good whisky comes from Scotland. I've had some decent ones from all over the place.

Myself and Rob did a tasting with Monkey Shoulder and R&J / Montecristo. Monkey SHoulder is very good with a cigar, nice sweetness and stands up quite well.

Anyway, back the Highland Park - oh its gone

[Spirit of Islay]

on the last HP of the night , The Whisky Scam Bottling of a few years ago , a 25yo from a SC at 46% , very similar to the 18yo HB lots of fruit , touch of smoke and £30 a pop !

[Ganga]

Just catching up after having to run an errand. Work, always getting in the way of beverage.

[TreacleSponge]

on the last HP of the night , The Whisky Scam Bottling of a few years ago , a 25yo from a SC at 46% , very similar to the 18yo HB lots of fruit , touch of smoke and £30 a pop !

Oh I'm such a n00b. What is a Whisky Scam bottling? Was it really a scam or just a bargain bottle?

[Spirit of Islay]

Oh I'm such a n00b. What is a Whisky Scam bottling? Was it really a scam or just a bargain bottle?

Long Story but the basic was that in the late 80's / early 90's there were lots of scams going on regarding whisky casks , anyway a guy (solicitor) in Kendal helped the people on the end of the scam Bottle and sell there casks to get some money back , in the early 2000's i picked a few of theses up incl the 25yo HP (£30 a bottle) , Ardbog 10yo (no spelling Mistake , £18) and Bowmorish 12yo (about the same) , missed out on the 1970 / 30yo Laddie for £30
Don't know if the guy still sells them but they were popular......

[TreacleSponge]

So the cask-owners were scammed, but you got genuine single cask whisky? Maybe I should take a look round Kendal next time I'm there.

[TreacleSponge]

I'm loving this 18yo. It's really really good.

Highland Park 18yo
Brand : - Expression : 18yo
Nose : Honey, chocolate and oranges. Much more intense than the 12 Palate : Like the 12yo but more complex, with more depth, more enjoyable. Creamy and chewy and sweet and warming. This is really lovely. Quite orangey and pithy, like good marmalade, chocolate, honey, coffee and that fire smoke. Finish : Quite long. Sweet then spicier than the 12, pepper and ginger. Comment : Beautifully balanced. The little old lady outdid herself with this one. Think she might have pushed the boat out and baked a hot upside-down chocolate pudding with a sticky marmalade sauce. Colour : deep/burnished gold Score : 0
Age : 18 Years Old Vintage : 0 ABV : 43% Bottler : -	Type : - Region : - Water : - Ice : - Glass : - Notes : -
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

Matt, I'm using the technique you said last time about visualising a scene

[mikeymad]

It is a good story Gordon.....

[mikeymad]

Think she might have pushed the boat out and baked a hot upside-down chocolate pudding with a sticky marmalade sauce.

Nice one......

Good notes Treacle.... and it even sounds like you might have liked this one...

[TreacleSponge]

Think she might have pushed the boat out and baked a hot upside-down chocolate pudding with a sticky marmalade sauce.

Nice one......

Good notes Treacle.... and it even sounds like you might have liked this one...

Yeah well, you know... it's ok I guess

I expect lots of people have this as a staple Good Whisky, and I feel a bit silly for not realising sooner

[mikeymad]

We all come along at our own pace..... welcome.

[TheTross]

The little old lady outdid herself with this one. Think she might have pushed the boat out and baked a hot upside-down chocolate pudding with a sticky marmalade sauce.

Nice visualisation

I do miss not having the HP 18 around, it's a fantastic dram.

[Ganga]

You, guys are surely making my mouth water. I need desert and a whisky.

[TreacleSponge]

Awe, went back to the 12 and it seemed thin after my lovely 18. My parents are here atm and my mum just walked by (curious as to why her little girl was surrounded by glasses) and tried the 18 then the 12 and said the 12 was watery. And I loved that 12yo an hour ago. I'm so fickle

[Matt2]

I'm sure if I put the 12 in a pink fluffy bottle you would love it even more
Anyone got the 21, would be good to see how it all develops. Got a 30 but shouldn't really open it yet....

I'm really enjoying the 12 at the moment, surrounded by lots of empty miniature bottles. Its got a good balance and an easy drinking whisky.

Ganga, what desert are you having with the whisky?

[TreacleSponge]

It's worth a shot, Matt

I saw a limited edition bottle of Grand Marnier today that was flocked. Really, just like flock wallpaper! Mr.Treacle had to prise it out of my hands to put it back on the shelf. I only have it in a B52 (which is a great bed-time cocktail) but I wanted it so badly!

[Ganga]

It's only 2 pm here. Just had a bite of pizza for lunch. I'm looking forward to getting home for the whisky and dessert. I'll have some of the V-Day cookies mom and the monsters made.

Is the 30 a 5 or 70 cl?

[Sherried Malt]

Keep up the great work, guys. I'll join you when I come back from dinner with my wife.

And I found I have an HP bottled just for the Netherlands. 19 YO from 1986. Can't wait to try it!

[Ganga]

I will setup a poll tonight for the March Live Tasting. Suggestions received thus far are Bruichladdich, Balvenie, St. Magdalene/Closed Lowland distilleries, Springbank. Anyone with suggestions can post it out as you dram away.

[TreacleSponge]

I'm away for a cuppa tea. G'night all.