Whisky Review: Highland Park Fire Edition

The port from the cork and nose is equally apparent in the palate. There is no denying the port influence at any point in the presentation. It is loud. Dry and sweet mingling with bitter. Notes of plums, red grapes, a light charred oak presence, with the entire thing underpinned with a base of malty vanilla. The finish is quite dry, which is very enjoyable. It feels appropriate and creates a bookended feeling surrounding the palate when combined with the port-heavy nose. The burn is relatively short and mild. There are lingering dry notes of chocolate-covered candied orange peel and a hint of fresh mint. Final Thoughts and Score There is n o need to mince words here. If you do not like port, Highland Park Fire Edition could be downright undrinkable for you. To refer to the port as an “influence”–as I have repeatedly–just does adequately prepare the drinker for exactly how much the port takes over the nose and palate. This does not feel like a mere port finish, and it shouldn’t. The Fire Edition marks the first time Highland Park has offered a single malt with this sort of aging involved. The end result calls to the drinker’s sense of adventure as much as the dramatic presentation. All things considered, I struggled with my overall opinion towards the dram once all the marketing was stripped away and I was left alone with my glass. Funny enough, I found this was the same position I had been in when exploring Highland Park’s standard 15-year-old bottling. Perhaps there is something about this particular age of Highland Park that leaves me confused. I know that I like this whisky. However, just how much I like the dram remains elusive. Don’t you worry about me, though. I will set upon exploring my sample to the very last drop in search of my truest feelings.