New Release: Highland Park 1995-2016 GM The Macphail's Collection for Japan Import System #1500 43%

A memorable cask has come from JIS. Highland Park HIGHLAND PARK 1995-2016 GM THE MACPHAIL'S COLLECTION for JAPAN IMPORT SYSTEM #1500 43% one of 351 bottles, Refill Remade Hogshead The aroma features vanilla, orange, pineapple, honey, soft oak, and toasted nuts. On the palate, it has a gentle mouthfeel with expansion, similar to the aroma's orange and honey sweetness, balanced by subtle oak and a warm smoky finish. [Good/Very Good] GM bottled this Highland Park 1995 for JIS, aged approximately 21 years. The aroma combines good bourbon cask notes like vanilla and orange with Highland Park's characteristic nutty, honey-like nuances. On the palate, it has the softness from dilution but also a full-bodied richness, sweetness, and a warm peat finish. Interestingly, this bottle was selected by me as a bottling candidate during my trip to Scotland last year. Locally, it received high praise and consideration for bottling at the whisky fairs, but since Highland Park had already bottled it there, they let it go. I assumed it would be bottled at the fairs, so I was surprised to learn it was released for Japan. When I drank it locally, it felt more powerful and thick with a stronger peat presence. While it's likely due to dilution to 43%, the aroma has become more approachable. Nevertheless, the original richness of the spirit is still evident, making it a very satisfying malt as a diluted whisky. #Highland Park (HIGHLANDPARK)