hisky : Highland Park 17 Year SMWS 4.255 “When pineapple met pigeon”

Country/Region : Scotland/Islands

ABV : 56.8%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon, Refill Jamaican Rum

Age : 17 Years (Distilled 5 Sept. 2002)

Nose :  Fruit, soot, and funk.  Strawberry licorice by the hibachi grill.  Panoply of fruits followed: orange oil, yuzu citrus, guava candies, and lychee pits.  Fruit and salt gave the impression of a salted margarita rim with a slice of brown sugar bacon.

Palate : Medium bodied and oily with tropical fruits and salt.  Beachside party with salt and mineral laden ocean air, cola, Fanta fruit punch, fried honey plantains, and bruised pineapples.  Occasional rum esters gave the impression of perfume.  Watermelon rind and hard guava candies came through on the back end.

Finish :  Lingering tropical fruits and rock salt rims.

Score : 7

Mental Image : A Cancun Vacation I don’t Remember

Notes :  This Highland Park was incredibly strange and I really enjoyed that.  I do not think I would grab for this very often, but when I want something fruity and maritime, this would be perfect.  Those bruised tropical fruits were absolutely delicious and this had all the elements of a great tropical Caribbean vacation.  SMWS did not include mention as to how long this was in the rum cask, I am guessing no more than a quick finish over a couple years, but the cask imparted a bevy of tasty rum notes that paired well with the lightly peated Highland Park spirit.

Overall, an interesting bottle with some really great tropical fruit notes.  I don’t know if the experience quite lives up to the name (which is top notch), but it’s not terribly far off.