Review by: Raygun

This is a new one: I’ve had STR (shave toast rechar) wine casks before, but don’t think I’ve had that treatment with a PX sherry cask. Highland Parks I’ve had plenty, more IBs than OBs I think at this point. The modern stuff I’ve found mainly workmanlike but not great; I’m not going to count the 1960 distillate I tried. Initial notes from fully blind tasting, with additions after the reveal in italics. Sample and pic courtesy of Whiskery Turnip. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 15 minutes.

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Distillery: Highland Park 

Bottler: SMWS   

Region/style: Islands single malt Scotch

ABV: 58.3% 

Age: 16 years. Distilled on January 8, 2005.  

Cask type: Bourbon hogshead followed by finish in a STR PX barrique

Color: 1.3 russet. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Some caramel, a bit of camphor, and earthy scents. It’s a little shy and I’m not sure what to make of it. Some canned fruit, peaches and mandarin oranges.      

Palate: I’m still not sure what to make of it. There’s oak, some tart grapes, orange, and a bit of chocolate. Refill sherry, maybe? Doesn’t stand out in any particular aspect. There’s a nice sweetness to it, but overall fairly generic. Has a little more character this time. A bit of earth, more chocolate, and canned fruit. 

Finish: Gets a little spicy, in a Middle Eastern kind of way. Pomegranate molasses, caramel, some dried mango. Sulfur brings some savoriness. Chocolate again.   

Guess: I’m really at a loss here. It’s just hard to find many distinctive features. I think it’s Scotch, around 15 years, and probably a refill sherry cask. Mid-50s ABV.     

Post-reveal thoughts: I can’t say it’s a surprise to find it’s Highland Park when I had no idea what this was. Didn’t notice any peat, though I rarely do with HP. Strange cask combination: never heard of a STR PX barrique. Not sure it’s a great choice based on this. Hard to pick out much in the way of notes; tasted like Scotch. Slightly more distinctive on the second go-round, but I wouldn’t call it full of character. I’d expect a little more from SMWS. 

Conclusion: For something you don’t see everyday, it turned out to be fairly pedestrian. Not bad, but nothing about it particularly stood out or was memorable. More of something to sip on while watching a movie than a pour that’s worthy of focus in itself. Which is fine, except I’d want more for SMWS prices.    

Buy a bottle? I’m sure the value isn’t there.

Score: 75

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)