Yes I've reviewed this cigar before and yes it was with a Highland Park whisky (https://partiko.app/yippeekaiyay/highland-park-harald-with-padron-1926-box-pressed-40-year-anniversary?referrer=yippeekaiyay). But that was another day with other people in another location. This time I was at the Shy rooftop bar in South Jakarta listening to live R&B / hip hop music. Even though the bar is on the roof (hence roof top bar), it is not open air though the air con and ventilation worked well as many people were smoking including me.
HIGHLAND PARK 12YO
This is the entry level whisky for Highland Park and in comparison to other similarly priced whiskys like Glenlivet 12YO, Glenmorangie 10YO, Macallan 12YO etc etc, it's one of the better ones in my opinion. It has good balanced flavours including orangey citrus, honey, floral notes and a little peat mixed with the oak. Not as strong citrus as the Glenmorangie or the Highland Park Harald (different citrus nose) but still there. A similar flavour on the palate to what was experienced on the nose, a well rounded whisky with enough complexity to talk about but not special enough to say wow, though getting close.
Padron 1926 SERIES 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BOX PRESSED CIGAR
I've reviewed this for the third time now (https://partiko.app/yippeekaiyay/clynelish-14yo-with-padron-1926-series-40-year-anniversary-box-pressed-cigar-8p7aesxx?referrer=yippeekaiyay) and whilst it didn't work with the Highland Park Harald, it definitely worked extremely well with the Highland Park 12YO..... Go figure! The cigar smoke was, as usual, luxurious and nutty sweet. The pairing however really accentuated the orange flavours from the whisky. Had to repeat the experience several times to make sure it was really what I was tasting. A distinct contrast from only sipping the whisky. A very good pairing that I would recommend.
