My god is this a gem. I haven’t had a Highland Park Single Cask that was less than great…but this is outstanding. Bravo, Whisky Exchange!

The Whisky Exchange is one of the largest and certainly most well-known whisky shops around the world. Over my whisky journey, I’ve bought bottles, sets, and samples from them. While it wasn’t cheap (shipping is expensive as hell), there are some things I could never have tasted without their help. One time I ordered over 100 samples in a single order…I’m still working my way through them to be honest.

As a high-volume, high-profile shop, The Whisky Exchange often gets first access to special releases and special casks. The only other store I can think of that’s comparable is La Maison du Whisky in Paris - but lucky me, they don’t ship to the US. I’ve had Highland Park Single Casks from 11 to 15 years old, but this is the oldest one yet.

Just look at that color. 16 years in a first-fill European oak sherry butt. I’m telling you, it’s even darker in person. This looks delicious. The first cork pop was like alcoholic Christmas cake entered the room. The delicious, rancio-heavy sherried red fruits played off the smoky and salty Highland Park character like one of those avant-garde desserts where sweet and citrusy ice cream and cake have a few heavily smoked sea salt flakes sprinkled on top.

Then dark chocolate joins the party, turning that avant-garde dessert into a classic, perfect dark chocolate lava cake with a raspberry and date sauce and, again, a few well-placed flakes of salt.

As of this writing, there are still bottles available. I’m fighting everything in me to not get a second (or a third, for that matter). It’s one of the best Scotches I’ve ever tried, even from what’s already my favorite distillery. My dream - well, one of them - is to have a cask of this all to myself. When I do, this is the flavor profile I’m aiming for.

Highland Park Single Cask “The Whisky Exchange”: Specs

Classification: Single Malt Scotch

Origin: Highland Park Distillery

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 117.8 (58.9% ABV)

Age: 16 Years Old

Location: Orkney, Scotland

Highland Park Single Cask “The Whisky Exchange” Price: $240

Official Website

Highland Park Single Cask “The Whisky Exchange” Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Polished mahogany. Thin rims, droplets decorate glass.

Nose: Smells like Christmas cake - syrupy, rich, indulgent, sherry power - complex and dark and thick. The fruit, spice, oak, and chocolate are all there, and they meld together so harmoniously it’s hard to split them up. No proof heat, just sherry. Oddly, if anything is missing, it’s smoke - no sherry smoke or Highland Park smoke on the nose. Smoke eventually develops on the nose after air.

Palate: Heat comes first, just a split second before all the flavors come barging in: pretzel crusts, spiced red fruits, and that incredibly indulgent dark chocolate and smoke combination when Highland Park meets sherry. The Highland Park character was muted on the nose, but it’s in full force here. Mouthfeel is syrupy, rich, coating, tingly, and full-bodied. If smoked chocolate was a thing, this would be the liquid form. Toasted hazelnuts emerge with a little air, adding even more character.

Finish: Finish is chocolate lava cake with an almost burnt chocolate and red wine sauce, surrounded by caramelized plums, dates, and hazelnuts.

Overall: Absolutely fantastic, even by Highland Park standards. Complexity at every turn, deep, rich flavors and textures - yes, it’s rich enough to give texture! - and a long finish. Everything I want in a sherried Scotch and more.

Final Rating: 9.1

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)