Insider knowledge: Highland Park 12 Year Old whisky is named whisky by virtue of the fact it's from Scotland. If distilled in America the spelling would be Highland Park 12 Year Old whiskey, as opposed to whisky.
The nose is fresh, clean and very aromatic. Floral notes abound the senses with a light grassiness. Notes of creamy manuka honey and a touch of juicy citrus with cream and a well-balanced sweetness. The palate is quite full with a pleasant subtlety to the depths. Lurking somewhere in the substratum a grilled orange lies. Notes of granary toast and green tea with jasmine. A touch of sweetness. The finish is quite long with peppered spicy and wood shavings
This is the relatively new expression and redesigned bottle from HP. It was remarked in several reviews that perhaps the original 12 yo was just beginning to tire - or maybe tastes change! This new offering is certainly more subtle, slightly less smokey and just a tad sweeter. It does not lose it's Island character and remains one of the great Single Malts. Unlike the whisky however the new packaging and bottle ARE an aquired taste!
Another one that could easily become a staple in someone's cabinet (if not mine). This is a very refreshing dram - one that could easily be enjoyed after sweating and working in the yard. If there was ever a Scotch suitable for summer afternoon enjoyment, this is it. Sweet notes on entry and on finish - the longer you let the finish linger, the sweeter it becomes. Nougat, Caramel, almost a candy bar in a bottle after a minute or so from the last sip. Wonderful Stuff!
Expected a lot less, affordable and by far the most delicious for the price, hell any price, everything is so balanced. Sweet then dry. Just amazing!
my favourite malt by far and i;v tried a few, delicious,! worth 5* James Rodger Smart esq,
While touring Scotland in 2005 we stopped in Edinburgh before heading for London. There I had my first Scotch tasting. I tried several from Laphroig through Highland Park to Glen Morangie and Jura. I kept coming back to Highland Park. I had no previous knowledge of single malts and I just liked this one so I bought a bottle (overpriced with the VAT). Only when I got back to the States did I discover that, apparently, I know a good thing when I find it. It's still my favorite after trying a few others.
And they will if my plans for world domination come to fruition!
Fantastic!!!
Fragrant smoke with a soft kerosene, sweety lacquer and wood, moderate spirit and malt, which's leftovers prevail in modest aftertaste. Definitely better than Johnnie Walker Black, but maybe a little bit lower than Green Label. Worth trying, anyway.
Met a guy just back from Scotland, after picking up one bottle he came back and picked up a second bottle of Highland Park in the same visit to our local store. I asked what was so special about this brand, he told me about his trip and his tasting, I've been hooked ever since, absolutely love it.
I was not too sure at first taste, or second, or third, to be honest. The main problem was the peat which is very Bunnahabhain like. But it is a grower and now I look forward to a dram. It's fragrant, then dry, then goes to sweet. Big taste, lovely.
This is one of the best entry-level whiskies, and represents among the best value for money as well. Great balance of subtle peat and honey sweetness, but lacks that little bit extra that the 18 year-old provides.
For my money, the Highland Park 12 is one of the best entry-level whiskies available. Mild smokiness, a touch of honey, a savoury finish - it's got a bit of everything. Great value for money.
.. did not mention peat?
.. did mention manuka honey. Makes me wonder why they missed a statement on "it's intrinsic quality".
My palate cannot appreciate these hugely expensive whiskies and this to me is the perfect balance between taste and cost. It tastes a hell of a lot more expensive than it actually is - a perfect compromise.
If you just start your malt journey, or even if you are a old runner on the malt trail, there is no way you are not gonna like this. An amazing whiskey. way better then Glenlivet 12, Glenffidich 12, Macallan 12...etc and it's not a matter of taste, it is way better "."
This is a fine whisky. To me, it tasted somewhat like a Speyside with a mild peat under it. The peat flavor is not overpowering as in Lagvulin or Laphroig and lets the other flavors shine through. Karl
This is a nice rounded single malt but seems to lack the depth and complexity of other single malts. This is very noticeable when compared to a 10 year old Glengoyne which is far more complex and just as smooth. So much more depth than the HP12...Still good value though.
Love the orkneys, I love the peat and honey combo best I have tried
Should be called the Orkney Islands but never the orkneys!
I really enjoy the highland park 12yo it's perfectly balanced and you get everything you would expect. Sweet, little peaty working together with dry and sweet fruits and nut flavors and then medium dry what a lovely whisky I always go back to this lovely whisky can't get enough. So far I've tried the glenmorangie, aberlour, glenlivet, talisker and Laphroaig and they don't seem to satisfy my palate like the highland park. Great whisky keep up the good work!!!
Delicious
I had heard great reports from a work colleague on HP 12 and decided to buy for Christmas as a treat.I am new to single malt whisky and can say this HP12 is a beautiful tasting dram and I was not disappointed.Since buying this I have been fortunate over the past week to try out a few more drams including Glenfiddich 15 yo Solera, Glenlivet 12 yo and a Laphroaig Quarter cask.They were all fine tasting in my palate, but HP12 is going to be a regular purchase as for me it was smoother and more enjoyable to drink than the others.Its a whisky that tastes far more luxurious the £25 I paid for it.Great value.
At first I was a little concerned by the nose; it is quite heavy with the manuka honey, with that bitter beeswax and buttery toast that I am usually not a fan of. But give it a little while to develop - it doesn't take very long and you get fresh fruity subtleties like apple peels and citrus leaf, alongside cream and baked orange with the peel on. It becomes more speyside-y with time with more powerful notes from red berries and more creamy notes. The palate, which to some is the most important bit, is incredible, INCREDIBLE, nuts, oranges, slight peat, light spice, wild botanicals like heather and juniper, there is buttery toast, creamy brown sugar and slight juiciness. The balance is splendid, just splendid. on the finish there is a lovely coating of oranges, vanilla toffee, fudge, lovely light smokiness which I have no idea how they achieved. Man this is good. Highly recommended, ESPECIALLY AT £25?!?!?!??!!?!?
I was searching around for a good 12-year under $40 or so and this one came up. Really like this and the smoky finish. Tried this next to a Glenlivet 12 and I don't think I'll ever buy the Glenlivet again
just wonderful fav at the moment and for a long time to come
Sweet (but not cloying), floral, dry, a little peaty - this one really has everything in one package.
Have tasted a few hundred dollar (State side here) options, but nothing extravagant and I am a Scotch novice overall. I did much research before buying my first full bottle. This Highland Park 12 year was my choice, and I have to say, for the money I couldn't imagine doing better. Balanced sweat and smokey flavored with the freshness of greens.. along with jus the right amount of bite. Love it.
Finished off the bottle in the Kinlochbervie Hotel bar. I have been hooked since. An incredibly well rounded dram that i have great pleasure introducing to my friends. Salivating as i write this.
An outstanding whisky that I keep buying over and over. Has a little bit of everything, but not too much of anything. Perfect.