First released in April 2008, Highland Park 40 Year Old is batched in very small quantities with only 10 casks selected for each bottling â€?it’s the culmination of years of whisky-making knowledge and experience. This exceptional whisky is both highly complex and beautifully balanced, a rich and luxurious single malt at once deep, aromatic and smoky, yet singing with the sweetest notes of soft toffee, dark chocolate and fragrant orange zest.
Other reviews... Antique copper color, with some streaks of gold. A complex array of dried fruit on the nose, peppered with dried spice, orange marmalade, dark chocolate, and wood shavings. On the palate, the immediate impact is once again marmalade, followed briefly by bramble before drier notes of dark chocolate, wood shavings, anise, and subtle smoke emerge. Dry and spicy on the finish, but never austere. A delicious, contemplative 40 year old Highland Park that has aged gracefully. This is a permanent addition to the range. Out of curiosity, I tasted it next to the other great Highland Parks (the 30 year old and several very good single cask bottlings over 30 years old). This whisky is in the same league as the others. Its only down side is that it’s a lot more expensive than the others. 93 points.
- John Hansell, whiskyadvocate.com
Initial inhalations detect lots of vibrant, salty, maritime aromas, including seaweed, coastal brine and smoke; aeration introduces deft traces of oak, Sherry, honey and dried fruits. Palate entry is acidic, clean, vigorous and properly oily; midpalate highlights include bittersweet flavors of toffee, cocoa bean, light honey and oak resin. Ends up long, spirity, clean and salty.
90-95: Superb/Highly Recommended - wineenthusiast.com