Highland Park 18 Year Old

Well, another regular pleaser that I haven't had in years. Let's see how it holds up

Nose: Honey, grass, and an interesting smoke-burning tire, but without being acrid. Salt and sea-water behind dried fruit and candied nuts. It's a pretty fun combination, and very well integrated. Vanilla and eucalyptus top a green apple crumble that's heavy on sweet baked bits. The nose is elegant and enticing. Sweet, salty, floral, fruity, and smoky. Deeelish.

Palate: Flabbier and lighter than I'd have expected from the nose. Similar base, honey, wood, lemon and non-sour kumquats. Salted vanilla ice cream (woohoo!) and maybe chocolate malt. The wood creates this great mushroom and earthy strand, and then helps to tighten up the flavors at the mid-palate.

Finish: Lemon and salt. The wood has something of artificial sweetness to me (Hi and Low - aspartame), which puts me off somewhat. I can see why so many swear by HP, and I liked it, though I was distracted at points and it left that awkward sweetness for me (especially after the honey was so well done)! B-/B

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