Highland Park 1987/2011 Gordon & MacPhail
It is unbelievable the stuff Gordon & MacPhail comes up with on a regular basis. Their stock is unmatched for an independent bottler, and it shows. Now this Highland Park 1987/2011 isn’t their newest release. Far from it. But there is no other bottler out there that has enough casks to come up with a 24 year old Highland Park, other than the occasional single cask release.
It’s also a great way for us to taste older whiskies without having to pay the jackpot. I bought this for about £80 in their shop in Elgin, Scotland. Compare that to the official 25 year old of Highland Park, which’ll cost you at least double. Not that this G&M is just as good, I’m just saying. Now here are my tasting notes.
Nose: There’s sea salt, a very light smokiness. I love the mint. There’s also plenty of wood, no surprise, since it’s matured in refill bourbon barrels. There’s a flowery smell, along with barley and a hint of citrus that’s reminiscent of Old Pulteney-expressions.
Taste: It’s spicy. Again some smoke to go with aniseed and salty licorice.
Finish: A medium finish, too bad it isn’t longer. Dominated by barley and wood and some smoke near the end.
Rating: 88
Gordon & MacPhail almost never disappoint. This Highland Park is a wonderful well-rounded whisky.
Photo: Flickr/ade46
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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