Take the 15 and kick it up another notch: You’ve got HP 18. Still 86 proof, but even darker, exhibiting exotic, nutmeg and cinmamon flavors over hefty oak. Hints of pepper play with burnt sugar, making this a sugar & spice & everything nice concoction that I couldn’t stop from going back to time and time again. Highland Park 18 shows brilliant colors of gold and amber and has a full aroma of mature oak and toffee with just a touch of smoke. Flavors range from dried fruit and honey to heather, mild peat and spice. It’s remarkably smooth on the palate, with a rich roundness that leads to a soft, dry finish. This is good stuff. The balance of sweet and dry, all tied together with fruit and hints of smoke, yields a very complex but drinkable whiskey. The Highland Park 18 is interesting enough as an after-dinner dram or a companion to a nice cigar, but its easy-drinking qualities make it a lovely daily drink, should your budget allow for it.