Highland Queen ‘Grand 15’ 15 Years Old (1960s Edition)

Embark on a sensory journey with the Highland Queen 15-Year-Old Grand 15, a blend that defies conventional expectations and delivers a taste experience rich in complexity and character. Bottled by Macdonald & Muir Ltd. in the 1960s this whisky has matured for 15 years in oak casks, developing a profile that is as intriguing as it is satisfying. The Highland Queen 15-Year-Old is not your typical elegant whisky; it's a whisky with an edge featuring interesting, unexpected, and unconventional notes. Yet, it remains a well-rounded and delectably tasty experience, challenging the palate in the most delightful ways. Nose: The aroma is a bold invitation, starting with a thick honey sweetness. Amidst these robust scents, peat smoke reminiscent of a campfire and a slightly medicinal quality offer balance without overwhelming. Supporting roles are played by beeswax, rich malt, crumbly storage apples, candied pineapple, white grapes, and a touch of brown sugar, with oak making a restrained appearance. Taste: The palate confirms the nose's promises, starting with a flash of classic butterscotch before diving into a medley of sticky wild blossom honey and petrochemical notes. Flavors of fresh asphalt, mothball, tar oils on old wood, and subtle mineral peat smoke create a rich tapestry. The texture is waxy, the maltiness progressively intensifies, and notes of long-stored mealy apples, a hint of pineapple, mild oak with a touch of menthol, and a little vanilla weave through, culminating in a piece of melting dark milk chocolate. Finish: The finish is medium in length, surprising with its cleanliness. Dry oak, menthol, and camphor offer a refreshing coolness, while malt and brown sugar add sweetness. Memories of apples and pineapple linger, leading to a resurgence of peat smoke that evokes a smoldering beeswax candle, with a subtle aftertaste of almonds in honey and white grapes rounding off the experience. The Highland Queen 15-Year-Old Grand 15 is a whisky that commands attention, offering a taste profile that is both challenging and immensely rewarding. For those willing to venture beyond the conventional, this blend is a testament to the artistry and daring of its creators, promising a tasting experience that is truly in a class of its own.