Probably the first point I should make before I review Highland Park is that I'm not surprising anyone with this one. It's no obscure label, no new up and comer, no, not even close. I'm not trying to claim that the Straight Up is exactly a breaking ground for new, untried alcohols (YET), rather, I'm trying to clearly impress upon everyone that Highland Park is probably one of the most well reviewed, well known scotches in the world. I seriously doubt that many people who read this will learn anything new about it, so pretty much all you're going to get is my opinion of this well known beverage, and I can only hope that's enough to keep you reading.

Highland Park is not a young distillery by any means. Positioned on the Orkney Isles of Scotland, it claims to not only be the most notherly distillery in Scotland, but apparently the northmost scotch distillery in the world. It's important to realize, however, that the name 'Highland Park' is from the name of the area, which is, in fact, NOT a highland, so it is not a highland scotch, despite the name. The distillery has been operating for over two centuries, and produces their own malt, peat and spring water locally, and is proud of its self contained production as well as its initially illicit history, which, in my opinion, is always a good past for an alcohol to have.

The scotch itself is absolutely unique, at least within my experience. It has a very rich, full, even heady flavor that plays on all four of the tastes (if you buy into the whole 'taste bud types' thing). It's easily the smoothest scotch I've ever indulged in, and the first bottle I ever received was gone within two nights, and that was without the aid of other drinkers. It still has a bite, I don't think you can have an alcohol content much above 60 proof without it, but it's a nip compared to younger and rougher whiskeys.

Highland Park is a barley single malt. The malt is peat roasted and, as I understand it, both the barley and the peat are produced locally, directly for use in the distillery. The whiskey itself is aged in sherry casks (casks which were first used to age sherry) which definitely influences the flavor of the scotch. (As I learn more about alcohol, I am more fascinated by the aging and casking methods used than anything else.) The youngest age I've seen (and the age I myself enjoyed) was their 12 year scotch, although they have whiskeys of ages from 15 to 25 readily available. I imagine they probably have limited stocks of even older vintages, although I shudder to contemplate the price of these.

If I had to issue a complaint (and I often do) about Highland Park, it would be the weakness of the bite, but this is basically my lame-ass excuse for why Highland isn't my very favorite scotch ever. The simple fact is that two centuries of refinement mixed with a very clear idea of what a single malt scotch is, on top of the detail put into every step of the distilling and aging process has produced the inevitable result : a scotch ranked world wide as one of the best ever made. When you drink Highland Park, you will experience, and more to the point RECOGNIZE that you are experiencing, a glass of alcohol with the same degree of expertise put into its creation as a painstakingly crafted scupture or the piece de resistance of a master chef. You are drinking high art, the very culmination of the art of distilling whiskey.

Key facts about Highland Park's Single Malt Scotch :

Alcohol Content : Highland Park varies depending on age. The 12 year is 80 proof, but older bottles can have alcohol content ranging from 86 to 100 proof.

Age : I had the 12 year and enjoyed it immensely. I can only presume that older bottles may taste even better. Certainly, you can acquire a bottle (provided you have the cash on hand) from 12-25 years with little or no fuss.

Price (.750) : It's not very cheap. The cheapest price I saw for the twelve year was around $60, and the price went up as the age did, at about 10-15 dollars a year. Still, you can taste where the money is going.

Notes : You aren't going to disappoint anyone bringing Highland Park to the table. Everyone should be forced to take a drink, straight. If you want an alcohol to lure a mixer into the straight up society, Highland Park is probably as good a choice as you're going to find.

Final Standing : Completely pissed.