Father's Day Gift Guide- Highland Park Scotch with tasting notes

June 15, 2:01 PMCocktails ExaminerKelly Hightower

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A sure bet for a great gift for Father's Day is always scotch. Unlike a tie, dad will enjoy “using” this gift. If you are over 21, which I hope you are if you are buying your dad scotch, talk him into pouring you a glass and create some wonderful memories together.

A fun way to enjoy scotch is with tasting notes. It's always fun to compare your scotch experience with  that of the makers and experts. I talked with the folks over at Highland Park Scotch and they graciously shared their tasting notes for some of their amazing scotches.  They offer a wide variety of single malts aged from 12 to 40 Years. Prices range from an affordable $40 to $2,000.

I would recommend copying these notes and present them along with your gift and then making your own notes to compare.

HOW TO NOSE AND TASTE HIGHLAND PARK
by Gerry Tosh, Global Brand Ambassador
Highland Park is enjoyed all over the world, in all sorts of different ways by all sorts of different people. There is no right way or wrong way to drink it. However, in order to get the most out of this peerless spirit, to appreciate the intricate generosity of this classic whisky, certain familiar
steps will assist.

The perfect environment to taste is an odorless, well-lit one; then all
you need is a suitable glass (with a decent bowl and a narrowing neck) and some fresh, still water.

Pour a healthy measure into a clean tasting glass.

Hold the whisky up to the light. Look at the colour. Colour only gives us a hint and shapes our expectations. It tells us nothing definitive (unless it is murky and should be poured away). Dark whisky does not tell us the age for the simple reason that some whisky producers add spirit caramel – a perfectly legal practice – to make their whiskies darker, suggesting greater age and flavour. Highland Park is of course, completely natural in colour.

Dark whisky is not necessarily better than light whisky; it may have spent longer in Spanish oak Sherry casks. These casks deliver a dark fruity flavour, for example dates and raisins. Conversely, a light whisky may have spent longer in Bourbon barrels. These barrels deliver a light floral, citrus flavour to the whisky.

Hold the glass at 45 degrees and rotate it one full turn. Then hold the glass vertically up to the light. A ring will appear where the whisky has touched the glass.

Over time little beads will appear. Then legs (or tears) will fall down the glass. The greater the time it takes the legs to descend the higher the quality of the spirit. The smaller the beads when they initially appear, the higher the alcohol content.

Add the same amount of water as there is whisky in the glass. Whisky makers tend to nose and taste at 20% alc/vol. This releases all the flavour without the alcohol sensation, allowing you to nose and taste whisky more readily.

Next, make sure the whisky is still. Don’t swirl the whisky – swirling is for wine. Wine is between 11% and 15% alcohol; agitation is required to encourage alcohol to evaporate up the glass carrying the flavour with it up your nose. Whisky is at least 40% alcohol so doesn’t need any help in evaporating. If you swirl the glass initially all the flavour will go up the glass at the same time and, unless you are a professional, this will confuse your nose. By keeping it still, the flavours travel up the glass at different
times making it easier for your nose to understand.

Nose the whisky three times before gently swirling to try to find flavours that are hiding in the glass.

Then taste by chewing the whisky for 4-5 seconds. This gives every taste bud in your mouth the chance to experience the whisky. Pay close attention to the after taste (the sensation in your mouth after you have swallowed). This helps to determine to complexity of the spirit. The sign of a quality
whisky is a long, clean finish.


Highland Park 12 Years Old - Take your time to appreciate the nose of Highland Park 12 year old and you’ll discover the characteristic honey sweetness followed by fruit – maybe pineapple, apple or peat.  On the palate it is drying and leaves a gentle smoky feeling and a flavour that just keeps on going.
Color: Glowing amber
Nose: Heather-honey sweetness; peaty smokiness
Palate: Rounded smoky sweetness; full malt delivery
Finish: Teasing, heathery, subtle smoke.

Highland Park 15 Years Old - Has a remarkably complex nose with notes of camphor, peat and citrus fruits and flowers.  The drying sensation on the finish leaves a rich smoky feeling and the immediate desire to refill your glass.
Color: Full golden, clear and bright
Nose: Aromatic smokiness with a hint of camphor
Palate: Rich, initially sweet developing into a dry smokiness
Finish: Rich, long medium sweet then medium dry

Highland Park 18 Years Old - The nose of Highland Park 18 year old displays characteristic toffee sweetness and an almond nuttiness reminiscent of marzipan.  The finish is prolonged, full with a smoky after-taste.
Color: Natural color; burnished gold, clear and bright
Bouquet: Rich, mature oak; top note of aromatic smoke
Palate: Rich, full flavor; honey and peat
Finish: Soft, round and long

Highland Park 25 Years Old - The remarkable complexity of this whisky is due in part to the fact that half of it is matured in first fill sherry casks. 
Although expensive, they impart maximum flavour and Highland Park 25 year old proves it.
Color: Natural color; dark red golden, clear and bright
Bouquet: Very rich, mature oak; chocolate; fudge
Palate: Full, rich burst of flavor; soft honey; nutty toffee
Finish: Rich, long and surprisingly sweet for its age

Highland Park 30 Years Old - Merits time and attention.  It has spent 30 years maturing so treat it with respect, you’ll discover the characteristic fudge sweetness together with complex aromatic spices and dark chocolate orange.  It has a drying finish, leaving a gentle smoky flavour and a mildly salty after-taste – the result of 30 years aging in the Orkney sea spray.
Color: Rich, coppery, amber
Bouquet: Spicy, aromatic, nutmeg and darkest chocolate
Palate: Force 9 flavor, toffee, dark chocolate orange, and Hobbister Hill peat
Finish: Rich, long, smoky and surprisingly sweet

Highland Park 40 Years Old - Is a massively complex single malt with decadent rich dark fruits enveloped in an aromatic smoky mist on the nose, with wafts of darkest chocolate and spice. This expression of Highland Park dances on your tongue with sweet toffee and darkest chocolate spices being balanced by orange zest and before leaving a luxurious, long, smoky, sweet sensation. This whisky has been matured entirely in refill casks, allowing the aromatic peat smoke to be retained even after 40 years in   wood.
Color: Rich coppery amber hue
Bouquet: Spicy, aromatic, background rich dark fruits, nutmeg and darkest chocolate
Palate: Beautiful balance of sweet toffee notes, dark chocolate, sun dried orange zest and heather peat smokiness
Finish: Rich, long smoky and surprisingly sweet

Check your local liquor store for availability.

Cheers!
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Click on the slide show for more information about each scotch listed.