Some of the titles that are given by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society are wonderfully accurate and witty at the same time. I wonder where the description “Smoked duck à l’orange” came from.
It’s a 17 year-old Highland Park bottled in 2001.
Highland Park 17 yo 1987
(51,3%, SMWS 2005, 4.102, 260 btl.)
Highland Park 17 yo 1987 Nose: curious combination of heather and flour. Hints of pineapple, mango and vanilla. Quite some wax. There’s indeed a lovely hint of orange candy, like the hard candy in the form of a mandarin slice.
Mouth: roasted nuts, sugar coated almonds, mocha. Then mixing with fresher citrus notes. Toasted, sour yet quite sugary. Yellow plums. Also faint smoke.
Finish: nicely candied, with oranges, a little liquorice and a hint of mint.
I guess the comparison with duck à l’orange lies in the roasted / orange combination. A slightly odd Highland Park. Around € 80 back then.
Score: 85/100