Highland Park 12yr

[jwise]

This is now my second bottle of Highland Park 12, so as you might expect, I rather enjoy this whisky.



However, I managed to get through the entire first bottle before ever sitting down to do a proper review. I promised myself that when I picked up a second bottle (which I knew I would!), I would make the time to review it. So, without further ado:

Nose: salt and brine on the nose, with sweet nectar and honey. If there's peat in there, it has been melded so smoothly with the whisky so as not to come out from the crowd of aromas. I smell lavender, and flora, and frankly I can't wait to take my first sip!

Body: light construction, with growing intensity. Smooth.

Palate: The salty brine is still there, but not overpoweringly so. The whisky lets itself be known on the sides of the mouth, but gently so. On the second and third sip, the saltiness subsides and the more delicate floral flavors come out, along with the sweetness. There is a bit of smokiness to this whisky, but it never overpowers the other flavors.

Finish: the finish is long, releasing the most magnificent flavors. However good this whisky is on the palate, the finish is where the real explosion comes from. Without the finish, it would yield perhaps a 5 or 6 out of 10 stars. With it, I place this whisky around 8 or 9. Just for good measure, I'll call it an 8.5!

[Animadversior]

Certainly one of the best bangs for your buck - I sampled the HP12 in a Scotch Class at my work. I recall notes of supple tobacco & strong toffee-sherry that no doubt came from Highland Parks strict use of first-fill sherry casks, and of course that wonderfully light smoke finish.

I sold two or three bottles of 12 on Thursday, as well as one bottle of HP18 - A fantastic malt that harbored stronger tobacco notes as well as chocolate, maintaining the ratio of age-richness to smoke in the finish and most-certainly the smoothest Scotch I've had the privilege to sample to date.

[BourbonDrinker]

There's always a bottle of Highland Park 12 on my shelf. I love the balanced smoke, honey, and sherry edge. The tongue drying finish is outstanding. The 18 is also outstanding, but (gasp) I think I prefer the youthful edginess of the 12 over the 18. The 18 also is pushing the limits of cost that cause it to lose out to better whisky, at least on my shelf.
Cheers!

[jwise]

Originally Posted by TheEtherMan

The 18 is also outstanding, but (gasp) I think I prefer the youthful edginess of the 12 over the 18. The 18 also is pushing the limits of cost that cause it to lose out to better whisky, at least on my shelf.
Cheers!

When I bought my first bottle of HP 12, it came with a sample bottle of the 18yr. I found it good, very similar to the 12yr. In fact, it was like the 12yr without as much flavor (if I remember correctly). Because of this it was indeed smoother, but I like the character of the 12yr better. Of course, perhaps it is the sticker price that bends my opinion!

[nitehawk55]

The HP12 is my favourite so far , I have 6 bottles in stock

[jwise]

I don't have room in my whisky cabinet for multiple bottles of the same dram, otherwise I would as well!

[nitehawk55]

Actually it's 7 2/3 of HP 12 yo awaiting their fate

I've got a good cabinet in my basement for storing Whisky and along with those I would guess about 24-28 other full bottles of various singles to be tried and enjoyed in the coming months , likely a good 2 years supply .

[Jojo]

Originally Posted by nitehawk55

Actually it's 7 2/3 of HP 12 yo awaiting their fate

I've got a good cabinet in my basement for storing Whisky and along with those I would guess about 24-28 other full bottles of various singles to be tried and enjoyed in the coming months , likely a good 2 years supply .

Lucky you! Two year supply you say? Great, can't wait to read your comments here on the forum

PS I am also a 12 yo Highland Park fan - and the price is very reasonable.

The first time I tried this, I thought it was very good. The second time I tried it, I realized it was excellent. The best scotch on the market for the price, IMO. Great stuff and a nice review. Couldn't agree more. So smooth and balanced. For what it's worth, I don't think the 18 is markedly better, especially in light of the much higher price point.

[awhiskeydrink]

Thanks Jwise, This is one of my favorite scotches. I prefer the 15 yr if give the choice. I even use it in my scotch old fashions, as blasphemous as that may be. Great review. I did a full write up on Highland Park on my blog + the old fashion recipe if you ever have some spare time