Highland Park 30yo 1985/2015

Highland Park 30yo 1985/2015

Whisky Is Nature, Silver Seal
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
51% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peat, applesauce, peaches, yoghurt, cream, apple juice, marshmallows, hints of vanilla. With water, apples, honey, pears, leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Leather, pears, apple juice, cream, ice cream soda, vanilla, leather, clay dust, hints of smoke. With water, leather, peat, vanilla, apple juice. 

Finish: Long. Leather, peat, vanilla, apple juice. 

Comments: 

A very fragrant, creamy Highland Park. It’s not as leathery or smoky as some, instead it’s gentle and complex. Not fiery despite the high ABV either. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Brora 19yo 1982/2001

Brora 19yo 1982/2001

Special Bottling, Silver Seal
Single malt - North Highlands
Bronze gold
50% ABV
Half dram

Nose: Papaya, peat, lemon zest, sea salt, honey, hints of smoke, hints of petrol exhaust. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, turns watery, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour. Papaya, dried sour cherries, smoke, sea salt, fresh baked bread, hints of petrol exhaust. 
Finish: Long. Dried sour cherries, lemon zest, coriander, oranges, hints of sea salt. 

Comments: 

Never put water into Brora. Sage advice given to me by a fellow whisky drunk... er, nerd, in a bar a long time ago. I followed it with this one. It's unusual - there's the usual lemony smoke, but there's also papaya and sour cherries, and something like petrol exhaust (Springbank? Are you there?), fading into a herbal, slightly soapy finish. Lovely.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Glendronach 22yo 1990/2013

Glendronach 22yo 1990/2013

Special Bottling, Silver Seal
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
52.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Balsamic vinegar, caramelised onions, red grapes, breadcrumbs, ink, hints of red wine. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, mouth coating, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Balsamic vinegar, caramelised onions, fried bread, red grapes, orange peel, tomatoes, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, red grapes, black tea, vanilla. 

Comments: 

I've been chasing this whisky for quite a long time, only to discover it behind the first row of bottles in the best whisky bar I've ever been to. It's unusual and delicious, redolent of fried onions finished in balsamic vinegar, sweet and savoury, with a conventional finish. Lovely and brilliant.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.