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Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 2, 63.9%

Review #855

This is the second release from the new cask strength series from Highland Park, called “Robust & Intense”. Dried fruits and dark chocolate in the smell.

Besides the alcohol, the dried fruits stand out in the taste. Light peat and sweet vanilla in the background. A bit of tobacco and burned oak in the finish, alongside the dried fruits and sweetness.

This is definitely more sherried than the first expressions. Of course, it’s about personal taste - but for me, the higher share of Sherry casks, makes this a bit better than the first release. I will give this 89/100 (22/22/23/22).

Highland Park Cask Strength Release No. 1, 63.3%

Review #854

This is the new cask strength series from Highland Park, called “Robust & Intense”. Quite light in the smell, with white fruits and heathery peat. Pears and honey.

Very powerful at first in the taste. Then the flavours come rushing in. Candied pears, spices and nuts. A little burned oak, leather and light peat comes forward in the finish.

Quite surprised by this – in the good way! It’s a no age statement, but clearly there is well aged malt in the mix. This is not as sherried as other Highland Park’s, so I hope the series will be a variety of different flavour styles, so we will be able to explore Highland Park more in depth, through this series. I will give this 87/100 (21/22/22/22).

Edradour 12 yo, Caledonia Selection, 46%

Review #853

This is the Caledonia Selection from Edradour, matured in Oloroso Sherry casks. It has a wonderful colour, so let’s see if taste as wonderful as well. Wood spices and dried fruits in the smell.

Unfortunately, I get these Edradour soapy notes in the taste, that you sometimes get in their whisky. The soapy notes is not as apparent in the finish (still there though…), and the dried fruits takes over alongside some sweetness that comes forward.

Remember that taste is subjective, and you might enjoy these notes I dislike. And if you do, this might be right up your alley. I just couldn’t get over the soap… I will give this 77/100 (22/17/19/19).

Mortlach 11 yo (2010/2021), Signatory, 57.8%

Review #852

This is from Signatory Vintage’s Cask Strength Collection. It’s from a refill hogshead, that has been finished in a fresh Sherry Butt, with the cask number 16. Only 697 bottles were made. Over ripe white fruits at first in the smell. Raisins and a bit of oak.

More sherried in the taste. Dried fruits coming in, alongside a bit of tannins. It feels like the finish is getting even mor heavy in the Sherry influence! Fruity sweetness from the dried fruits joins as well.

Mortlach rarely disappoints, and so doesn’t Signatory! Another great expression from the Cask Strength Collection, but need to try a fully Sherry matured Mortlach from this range soon! I will give this 88/100 (21/22/23/22).

Caol Ila 10 yo (2010/2021), Signatory, 58,9%

Review #851

From Signatory’s Vintage Cask Strength Collection comes this refill Sherry butt with the cask number 316650. Only 528 bottles were made. Soft peat and dried fruits in the smell. Malted barley and oak. More and more vanilla appears, as the whisky opens up in the glass.

What a mouthful! Peat, oak and dried fruits in perfect combination in the taste! Seems not as gentle as Caol Ila usually is. The finish is very dry and full of oak, and stays for quite a long time.

The peat, oak and dried fruits really works well together. Complimenting each other, instead of overpowering. A solid Caol Ila, with a different touch. I will give this 89/100 (22/23/22/22).

Macallan Edition No. 6, 48,6%

Review #850

This is a limited release by Macallan, the sixth and final release in the series, made from different types of Sherry-seasoned oak casks. Quite light in the smell. Oak, a little spices and white fruits. A little nutty, with some toffee in the background.

Again, white fruits in the taste. Some black pepper as well. Dark chocolate and over ripe plums. The finish is long and warm. Raisins and vanilla, with a little ginger in the background.

Good all the way through. However, it is not the best “Edition” I have tried. I think I miss a bit of European oak influence... Well, it is still very interesting and it is still very good. I will give this 88/100 (22/22/22/22).

Macallan Edition No. 4, 48,4%

Review #849

This is a limited release by Macallan, the fourth in the series, made from different types of Sherry-seasoned oak casks. Oak and spices at first in the smell. Raisins and vanilla. Elegant and quite complex.

Oak spices, Sherry and tannins in the taste. Cinnamon, oranges and pound cake. The finish is long and vanilla sweet, with some chocolate notes in the background.

Another great Macallan. So well put together, with so many layers. Take your time to enjoy this, as it involves as the minutes go. Only regret, is that I don’t have a couple of bottles in the basement... I will give this 91/100 (23/22/23/23).