“No Way Jose ”
Country: Scotland
Brand: Highlander
Produced for: Alexander Muir & Son Ltd, Glasgow under a long term contract with one of Scotland's last remaining independent bottlers.
Type: Blended Whisky
Age: NAS
ABV: 40 %
Miniature bottle provided by Angel from Spain, living in Germany. Thanks!
Date: 29/06/2014
Colour: Golden Sunlight
Nose: Quite simple with Cereals, slightly Burnt Toast, Grain Alcohol, Nut Shells, Dried Fruit, Straw, Soot and Oak. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. It smells quite young and not at all exciting. But I can't find any real off-notes as well. Neither do I detect a significant Malt content.
Palate: Harsh Grain Alcohol, slightly Bitter Refill Oak, Nut Shells, Sugar, Toffee and some Wood Spices.
Finish: Very short with a bit of Grain, Sugar, Toffee, Refill-Oak, Nut Shells, Alcohol and Spices.
With added Water the Nose gets some Varnish while Oak, Sugar and Toffee become more present on the Palate. But be careful, one drop too much and it's Over and Out!
Rating: 68
Nose: 17.5 - Taste: 17 - Finish: 16.5 - Overall: 17
General Remarks: This Blend was produced in Scotland before being imported and distributed in Spain by Antonio Nadal SA on Majorca. This company was founded in 1898 by Antonio Nadal, dedicated to the production of local liqueurs on the basis of Herbs. Tunel is one of their well-known Brands. But today they produce and/or commercialise all sorts of Spirits including Gin, Brandy, Vodka and Whisky. I haven't been able to establish the price of the Highlander but it should be very cheap.
Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average
Conclusion: The Highlander smells and tastes like a young Blend that contains an above average Grain content and matured in casks that were used many times. And although it does not present any real off-notes, it's not interesting enough to consider drinking neat or even on the Rocks. Use it as a mixer if you must although I always recommend using a basic Bourbon for that purpose.
Jan van den Ende June, 2014
Beautiful Majorca!
