Review #19 - 20: Highland Park Dark Origin and Lagavulin 16

Highland Park Dark Origins

I have had this before at a bar and strangely it was cheaper than the 12 year, but at the liquor store, it is $25 more. This was released before the aggressive Viking scotch marketing campaign that Highland Park released. I couldn't find it on their website which leads me to believe this has been discontinued.

Island (Orkney) - NAS - NCF - No Color Added - Sample ($70 at the local) - 46.5%

Color - Tawny

Nose - Sherried fruits leap out, apricots, figs, and some marmelade. Just from the nose, this smells like a sherry bomb. I am surprised that I am not getting any smoke on this, which to me is a trademark of the HP malts.

Taste - First comes new wood and cooked rutabaga.There is fruit in there but it muted and I can't pick it out and caramel. Mouthfeel isn't bad

Finish - Medium - The HP smoke, caramel raisin

Overall - 5 - This dram was disappointing to me. Instead of building on Highland Park's characteristic notes, it tries to be a sherry bomb. In this respect, I feel it just falls flat. There is also an off note on the palate which makes me think they are not putting in their best barrels. I would take the 12 year old over this any day of the week and enjoy saving $15.

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Lagavulin 16 Year Old

My second experience drinking scotch was on Lagavulin 16. I was in a bar for early 20 kids (which I was) with a buddy many years ago and he asked the bartender who much the Laga 16 was. The bartender couldn't find the price and said he would give it to us for $5 a glass. The two of us finished the bottle. I have had Laga many times sense but have never taken notes. To me Laga 16 is one of the two classic steakhouse scotches along with with Macallan.

Islay - 16 Year- Chill Filtered- Color Added - Sample ($80 at the local) - 43%

Color - Burnished -

Nose - Shellfish, sea air, fruit cake. While not the most complex nose, it is really a fun one to nose.

Taste - Stewed fruits, musty wood, and something funky in here, those plastic creatures that are made in machines at the zoo.

Finish - Medium - Bog scent, fishing nets, and briney smoke.

Overall - 6 - It has been a while since I have had this and I had remembered it differently. This is much more musty/seaside dram than a smokey dram. This is a dram that makes me wish that they amped up the ABV and NCF. Interestingly enough, this is a dram that I don't like as much as before I exposed myself to many different malts. I do wonder what this would taste like at cask strength, which I guess means I have to give the 12 a try.

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Island - 5.7 (3)

Islay - 6.75 (10)

All - 6.2 (20)