My favourite is Highland Park 24 year old. It was distilled in 1967 and bottled in 1991. The 12 year old Highland Park is quite good too. I have not tried the 18 year old or the 25 year old distillery bottlings. The leading Scotch whisky writer Michael Jacksonin his Malt Whisky Companion calls Highland Park, "The greatest all rounder in the world of malt whisky". At present, Highland Park holds the distinction of being the northernmost Scotch distillery. At some point, it may be overtaken by Blackwoods Distillers in the Shetland Islands www.shetlandwhisky.com. Another very good Speyside whisky is Cragganmore from the Diageo stable. At the other end of Scotland from Highland Park is Springbank from the Campeltown region. Don't hesitate to try it.

Years ago, I was at a double cross tasting of Glenfarclas 12, 15 and 21 year old against Macallan 12, 18 and 25 year old. (These were the sherry cask aged Macallans.) Price independent, the 18 year old Macallan was the best. When one looked at the price tag, the 15 year old Glenfarclas was the best value. The two whiskies that were most alike were the 12 year old Macallan and 12 year old Glenfarclas. Both the 21 year old Glenfarclas and 25 year old Macallan were to my mind too woody and not as enjoyable as the middle aged malts.

I have not tried the relatively recently launched fine oak Macallans but when I queried a consultant at my liquor store, he said, it isn't Macallan.