The Highlands encompass a huge region and a lot of distilleries, including the islands near the Scottish mainland (excluding the island of Islay). Drams are produced here in many different styles, and so it's difficult to generalize about a "Highland style." I started drinking Scotch with Glenmorangie, mainly because you can pretty much find it everywhere. A creamy and well-balanced whisky, Glenmorangie is the best-selling single malt in Scotland. The distillery regularly puts out special releases: whiskies aged in port or sherry casks, extra-mature releases, and limited-edition bottlings. I've moved away from Glenmorangie in recent years to try other brands, though. Among my current favorites are Dalmore, Isle of Jura, and Highland Park. Although all three brands have pricy, limited-edition bottlings available, you can skip those and stay with the entry-level releases, all of which are well-balanced, reasonably priced whiskies with individual character and great depth of flavor. In considering the range of styles available in the Highlands, I must mention Talisker, from the island of Skye. Talisker is a rich, heavy, and smoky malt—not as hugely peated as, say, Lagavulin, but definitely noticeably smoky. Talisker is a great introduction to the peatier side of Scotch, for someone who wants to start exploring those flavors and aromas. Other Highlands brands include Balblair, Clynelish, Pulteney, Glen Garioch, Lochnagar, Ben Nevis, Dalwhinnie, Glengoyne, Loch Lomond, Oban, Edradour, and Scapa.
Wine Enthusiast 94 "This Speyside single malt is matured in Sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain, for a minimum of 18 years. The amber spirit has
International Review of Spirits Tasting 95 "Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask has been aged in a combination of American oak and ex-sherry casks. This is
Wine Enthusiast 85-89 "The early aroma is a combination of malt, wood and sea breeze; the later bouquet is a deliciously harmonious, even creamy marriage of
Wine Enthusiast 93 WE TOP 100 2017 Best Spirits of the Year " Look for a rich butterscotch scent and a hint of fresh apricot. On the palate,
"The Famous Grouse, the biggest selling whisky within Scotland - it is a splendid blend, with a restrained sweet maltiness and a hint of sherry
Wine Enthusiast 96-100 "An initial bouquet of the dried yellow fruit found in muesli; later on, added scents of unsweetened coconut, honey, and light toffee beautifully
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Malt Advocate 93 "Glenmorangie Original is an inviting single malt whisky, acclaimed and appreciated by luxury spirit drinkers around the world. The original expression of Glenmorangies
Malt Advocate 93 "Glenmorangie Original is an inviting single malt whisky, acclaimed and appreciated by luxury spirit drinkers around the world. The original expression of Glenmorangies
"Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask has been aged in a combination of American oak and ex-sherry casks. This is a rich whisky which combines
Wine Enthusiast 95 WE TOP 100 Spirits 2019 " Delectable notes of oloroso Sherry, dried date, dried fig, caramel and toffee lead the nose. The palate opens
Oban 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the third limited release whisky produced by Oban Distillery in its 219-year history. Released as part
2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal Winner. Amber with dark gold highlights. The nose is complex, yet refined with tempting aromas of marmalade, honey,
"Distinctively fresh and fruity with a hint of pear. Beautifully crafted single malt with a delicately balanced fragrance. Characteristic weet, fruity notes. Develops into elements
Wine Enthusiast 96 WE TOP 100 2017 Best Spirits of the Year " This 12-year-old single malt was finished in casks that previously held Sauternes, the golden sweet
Whisky Advocate 92 WA TOP 20 2019 Rank 9 " This Quinta Ruban succeeds the 12 year old version, adding two additional years of finishing in port
" After moving with their widowed mother to the small port city of Oban (situated in northwest Scotland), John and Hugh Stevenson took jobs building
" Glenfiddich Rich Oak is a completely unique single malt, delicately finished for up to 12 weeks in brand new American and new Spanish oak
"Expression 12 Year Old Appearance Deep amber-red gold. Nose:Sweet, creamy vanilla, with hints of ginger. Spiced mulled wine and pear. Palate:Rich, creamy, silky-smooth. Warm, rich oak
" Distinctively fresh and fruity with a hint of pear. Beautifully crafted single malt with a delicately balanced fragrance. Characteristic sweet, fruity notes. Develops into
"This 18 year old Macallan single malt sits at the peak of the Triple Cask range (which replaced the Fine Oak range in mid-2018). With
Whiskey Advocate #16 "The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old is a balanced single malt whisky created by bringing the perfect harmony of two oaks into
" Aged in American oak for 14 years and then finished off in Spanish sherry butts for 3 years. A rich, lush, sherried Dalmore expression.
Whisky Advocate #13 Whiskey of 2020 "Glenmorangie has been growing its own barley for years, but this U.S. exclusive marks the first release produced entirely from
Wine Enthusiast 90 - 95 BEST BUY "The initial aroma is large, biscuity and grainy sweet; the aroma then becomes more sugar biscuit-like and a touch
"Dry fruits. A hint of peat. Sweet and sour. Great single malt from the highlands"