Highland Park 25 Year (1981) Scott’s Selection

Review by: The Muskox

Last night I celebrated the publication of my very first scientific paper, so it was time to pour another one of these dusty Scott’s Selection bottlings! I really haven’t had any old Highland Park, not for lack of desire, but rather lack of opportunity. Let’s see if this one lives up to expectations.

Distillery: Highland Park.

Bottler: Scott’s Selection.

Region: Islands.

ABV: 50.6%, cask strength.

Age: 25 years old. Distilled in 1981. Bottled in 2006.

Cask type: Oak.

Color: Light gold. No colour added, un-chillfiltered.

Nose: Distinguished sweetness. No smoke at all. Plenty of that typical heather, stronger than I’ve had in any other Highland Park. Very focused fruit notes of melon and nectarine. Old books! Pu’erh tea, pine, soft herbs, some nutty toasted celery. Buttery popcorn. Something like a washed-rind cheese, but less funky and more creamy-nutty. As it rests, the fruit expands to golden raisins, dragonfruit, citron, and yellow plum, and almonds emerge.

Palate: Medium texture. Sweet-tart up front, with yuzu and nectarine. Slow development to soft heathery smoke, more buttered popcorn, vanilla, and malt. The oak is chewy but soft, with a resinous note. Complex floral flavours on the back end of the development, along with soft citrus, cherries, and nougat. Something savoury here too, I want to say soft cheese again.

Finish: Medium-length. The smokiest part of the dram, with a charcoal grill note emerging. More nectarine, heather, and pu’erh, with a lime oil note joining. Dank and musty, with that old-library character joining back in.

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Ancient tome of Hanging Gardens horticulture tips”

Notes: At first, I was ready to name this the weakest of the Scottses so far, but it really grew on me as I slowly sipped. The floral and heather notes in here are simply gorgeous. It’s a very more-ish whisky – the shorter-than-expected finish just made me want to take another sip and go round again. Super balanced, understated, and complex, just my kind of dram.

Final Score: 88.

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

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