Scotch Whiskey Society of the San Francisco Bay Area

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Highland Park Signatory 19yr Cask Strength

Island (Orkney)

$155

Notes: A sweet and heathery selection, with nicely building smoke. Lemon zest & cream citrus notes, marizpan, and a great overall taste experience. A very strong representation of what makes HP a great line - but not the best of the breed.

Talisker Distiller's Edition

Isle of Skye

$85

Notes: Totally awesome and cool. Deep and rich, with chocolatey tones and complexity. Smoke's in there too, don't worry. One of our most popular ever.

Highland Park 18

Island (Orkney)

$85

Notes: Excellent. Loved by all, plenty of building smoke but notes of dry fruit sweetness mingled with sea air and the hints of sherry cask and HP's signature heather. Just a great whisky - one of our faves.

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Islay

$50

Notes: A hell of a Scotch. Considered by many to be the finest Laphroaig - everything you want in an Islay, and then some. The entelechy of peat. Do it now.

Edradour 10yr

Highland

$55

Notes: Malty and heathery, a light and sweet body, but we soured on it quickly. Remnant odors of burnt plastic. One of those that helped us understand what butyric (oily acid that gives rancid butter or vomit their signature aromas) means.

American - The Glorious Bay Area

$50

Notes: Not a huge hit, but sweet cocoa notes abound. Consistent with the eau de vie style, this is a subtler presentation. Don't be fooled by the dark dragon on the label. More of an East Bay salamander.

Bruichladdich

Islay

$55

Notes: Met with general approval, with a well-rounded nature and a building smokey presence. Not overwhelmingly peaty, though, and a general thought was it'd be worth holding off to get the Infinity.

Bruichladdich 15yr

Islay

$70

Notes: Similar to the 12, not necessarily worth the upgrade. Stronger wood character, not much more smoke.

Bruichladdich 12yr

Islay

$55

Notes: Not smokey, considering it's an Islay ('delicately peated' - but where's the fun in that?). Sea spray notes and, sweet, grain and fruity hues. Generally well-liked by the group, but not as strong as some other Bruichladdich standouts (Infinity, the 10, PC7).

Yamazaki 12yr

Japanese

$45

Notes: Malty and delicious, somewhat reminiscent of bourbon - stronger oak presence than anticipated. A luscious and sweet addition to one's cabinet.

Talisker 18yr

Isle of Skye

$75

Notes: A very nice Scotch, but not necessarily worth the upgrade from the 10yr. A 10yr vs. 18yr taste test was challenging (to us).