My drink of choice has long been Jack Daniels. I've enjoyed it since...well...since before the blackouts started, I suppose...

Seriously, though, when it came to the world of brown liquors, mine was one of bourbon, rye, and sour mash.

I had a very bad experience with scotch, specifically Johnnie Walker Red (AND Black), at my father-in-law's 50th birthday and had thus sworn off of this otherwise benign spirit.

Several years ago, my father, a man once loyal to Ballantine's, began drinking Dewar's White Label, a decent blend. I enjoyed it one evening with him, and I slowly began to ease back into Scotch. Following his lead, I was introduced to Glenfiddich and, ultimately, I became a huge fan of 18-year-old Glenlivet.

This past summer, my sister-in-law's uncle, over from Holland on vacation, and I were sitting smoking fine cigars while others played horseshoes. Shortly after I had remarked that only a Scotch finer than the tremendous cigar I was puffing would make the evening perfect, we were in my car heading for the local spirit shop.

I deferred to his selection: Highland Park 12-year-old Scotch.

A legend was born.

Highland Park's stable includes 12, 18,and 25-year-old Scotch, as well as some Limited Editions. The Highland Park Distillery is located on the Orkney Isles, one of the northernmost parts of Scotland. (See map: http://www.cursiter.com/pages/Orkney_Map.htm)

Highland Park begins as cool, clear water from the Cattie Maggie Spring, its barley meticulously malted over smoldering peat from the Hobbister Moor, owned and maintained by Highland Park itself.

This 80 proof Scotch glows with a deep amber hue best appreciated when held up to a setting sun.

Highland Park pours well and vaunts a honey-sweet smokiness, a derivation of the peat-fired malting of the finest barley.

The flavor of this remarkable Scotch breaks across the palate like a June morning, warm and full of promise. It delivers a well-rounded smoky sweetness and delivers a weighty maltiness that lingers on the tongue before finishing cleanly.

So pure and refined is this Scotch that those who have sipped from my glass, as now I champion this Scotch to all within earshot upon uncorking the bottle, would swear that I've added water were it not for its pronounced flavor.

At just north of $40 a bottle, I choose to savor just a bit here and there, and just a bit more with friends and family about. I've poured Highland Park over ice, but it is best appreciated when only a drop of water is added to unlock its layered aroma.

Enjoy Highland Park anywhere: with friends, while reading, at sunset, or even on the sidelines of an impromptu game of horseshoes.

Thanks to Highland Park, it looks like my bad experience with Scotch is reduced to little more than distant memory and family lore.

Jack will just have to get used to the fact.

Thanks for spending part of your day with me!

And be sure to drink responsibly. The world is better with you in it.

***Special recognition is due nchoward for his excellent reviews as referenced within this rather humble one.

Recommended: Yes