Highland Park 19 Year Old 1978 for Royal Mile Whiskies

Royal Mile Whiskies is famous British online retailer with two actual shops: one in London and one in Edinburgh. They often release single malt under their own label. So far they have bottled 5 Highland Park. I am fortunate to be able to taste their very first, a 19 Year Old that was distilled in 1978 (!) and has thus spent almost as long on the bottle as it had in the cask.

Wow, what a wonderful nose. Big aroma of candied lemon rind, sweet malt and all kinds of grasses. Some nougat, lemongrass and heather in the background. Hint of pistachios. Peat? Smoke? Nothing of the sort. Very clean.

It is quite different on the palate. Very alcoholic arrival despite the modest ABV. Very powerful and now the peat is quite prominent. A salty edge. Really good. Only in the second wave the fruit emerges. Again all of it lemon (peel included), joined by some nuts. Some vanilla and woodsmoke make it picture perfect.

It lingers wonderfully long in the finish with loads of pepper at the death.

Wow, I am really impressed with this HP. Too bad you cannot find it anymore. ‘They do not make ‘m like this no more, lad.’ Ain’t that the truth. Thank you, Green Man, for the sample. I understand that they bottle is still open at your bar. I’ll pop in again soon.

Find where to buy Highland Park whisky