Scotch

Whisky Review: Highland Park 1961 22 Year Old Cadenhead

This is the style of Highland Park that made the brand famous a few decades ago.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Tasting Notes

About:

This is the style of Highland Park that made the brand famous a few decades ago. With it’s lighter style of peat and a heavy focus on first fill bourbon and sherry casks, these older, independently bottled versions of Highland Park shine so bright amongst the regular range bottles. This particular expression has recently sold for upwards of £1,300 at auction in the UK.


Appearance:
Manzanilla Sherry
Nose:
Cinder toffee and dying campfire embers. It’s the smell of bedtime when your camping holiday has gone on far too long into the early hours. Smoked pine and heather plants, mint toffee chews, Madagascan vanilla, not a strong hint of peat anywhere – the mint toffee notes are running the show.
Palate:
More mint to start, but then the peat starts to roll in! Those ever so subtle smoked heather notes, darker honey, lemongrass, coca-cola, more toffee and vanilla. Just a huge build on the nose with the flavours, with classic Highland Park smoke prancing around. Mixed peppercorns, a little sage and thyme, incredible texture to the liquid.
Finish:
Honey glazed ham, the herby notes are adding into a much more savoury finish. Thyme, sage, Prosciutto, honey, vanilla and toffee.
Comments:
A wonderful Highland Park expression that I would easily buy if I could afford to.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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