The Macallan Cask Strength
The Highlands
The Macallan brand is synonymous with top-tier Single Malt Scotch, and the unsung hero of their portfolio is their Cask Strength. This malt hails from the Easter Elchies House of Macallan overlooking the River Spey. Like its better-known 18-year-old sibling, the Cask Strength has a sherried finish making it bright, rich and accessible; but this one explodes with caramel, brown sugar, toffee and vanilla so complex and intertwined it drinks like a dessert. It's well balanced on the palate with a sweet, tawny port, cinnamon oatmeal bouquet.
Price: $75
Highland Park 18 Year Old
Orkney Islands
It's hard to believe that Highland Park's 18-year-old Single Malt was first released in 1997, as its great reputation belies its youth. On the nose you get honey, sherry and peat coupled with almonds and light smoke, which makes it not just approachable but irresistible. It is simultaneously subtle and complex while allowing the consumer to enjoy a smooth and dynamic expression of the Orkney Islands' most prized distillery. It finishes with heather and honey mixed with earth, dried fruit and nuts.
Price: $105
Glenmorangie 18 Years Old "Extremely Rare"
The Highlands
The Glenmorangie 18 Years Old spends fifteen years of its life in classic Bourbon oak barrels. A portion is then transferred to Oloroso sherry barrels for the final three years of maturation. These barrels are then reunited to create this silky Scotch, tasting of nuts, dried sticky figs, dates and vanilla. These flavors meld together on the palate in perfect harmony, leaving a nice creamy finish with a hint of fruit, floral, almonds and vanilla.
Price: $100
