Although the label says it has been bottled in 2014 already, this Highland Park 1990 in Master of Malt’s Single Cask series has only just been made available on their website.
Highland Park 24 yo 1990 (57,5%, Master of Malt 2014, bourbon hogshead, 201 btl.)
Highland Park 24 yo 1990 (57,5%, Master of Malt 2014, bourbon hogshead, 201 btl.)Nose: very natural, with nice hints of yellow apples and half-dried grasses, alongside sea air and a hint of dry Riesling. Hints of cold ashes and wet stones. A bit of honey and sugar-coated cereals. Mint too. Pleasantly coastal with an above average complexity.
Mouth: rather sweet and nicely old-style with this ashy side again. Sweet apples and honey, quickly followed by big peppery notes and a little ginger from the oak. Hints of liquorice and salt. Maybe some fragrant hints of violets or bergamot but that works well in this case.
Finish: long, a tad hot, with pepper and liquorice, as well as some walnuts and a smoky touch.
This is an intense Highland Park, rather naked but nicely full-flavoured and complex. A rather unique profile that you don’t really get from other distilleries. Around € 300, still available.
Score: 88/100