Highland Park 18 Year Old

If you can get over the price tag, this beauty packs a wonderful punch. It sits well on the palate and finishes strong. It's not sharp but you do detect powerful spice and citrus. Maybe a touch overpriced but a great single.

18th September 2016

This is a great scotch-- fantastic balance. Much better nose than the 12. I agree with other posters that this is better priced at Glenmorangie 18 levels, but I don't agree that it impacts the scotch itself. This is a wonderful dram.

24th August 2016

too much vanilla and too much lumber --- this is not highland park of old

9th June 2016

Many years ago and you paid a price. It really had nothing to do with you. Years of pain followed until you grew up. And grew wealthy. Now you pour an amber liquid into Irish crystal and gaze out your window to the crashing, glittering ocean. You drink to what might have been, but really to what is. The tide has shifted and you are in now in control of it all.

24th May 2016

I had a bit of a hard time with this, perhaps it suffered by me having high expectations but that isn't helped by the rather hefty price tag. The nose is fantastic but I found it to be a bit of a mess on the palette, it doesn’t develop into a crescendo it’s just all of the place and then the finish is dry and uneventful. It isn't that far removed from the 12 y/o, rather than being a juiced up or amplified version, it's a softer more rounded version with a touch less peat and no sulphur flaws something which the 12 suffers from quite badly these days. So the fact that it’s basically a slightly refined version of the 12 is not a really a bad thing but the fact that it costs about four times as much certainly is. It is a decent whisky but if it was priced more reasonably more like at around £60 it would be fantastic but at anything close to £100 just takes the piss and won't get a repeat purchase from me.

6th May 2016

This whisky is good. It's almost great. However, what it lacks most is that signature Highland Park finish that I've come to love so much. I missed the initial watering of the mouth, followed by the wonderful drying in the finish; as well as the smoke and oak. All of these things are present in the 12 and the 15 year, but disappear in the 18. Overall, it's a good whisky, and I keep a bottle of it handy, but I'd recommend getting two or three bottles of the 12 yo for the same price. It's just an opinion but I like it more.

19th March 2016

I am not sure what captivated me most , perhaps the way it felt in my mouth ...a delightful feel , the subtle notes of citrus with the oh so pleasant creamy honey . This is by far my new favorite !!

21st February 2016

Can't beat this one, but searching is always fun ; )

8th February 2016

AAAAA+++++

7th February 2016

This is a great dram. The basis of compare for any other whiskey at the same age. Try them. Dalmore. Glenfiddich. Even Macallan. This is the centre for all to be compared to.

31st January 2016

Forgot to add the stars. Could do better HP.

30th December 2015

Save your money and buy 2 bottles of Benromach 10 with change left over. The HP is nice whisky but Benromach 10 is better. Just my opinion. HP is positioning itself as a luxury brand and I'm sure they do well. Quality whisky and marketing brands are two different things. Probably was a great whisky at one time. I've had two bottles of HP 18 in the last year, and will never buy it again. Of course I may well be wrong, but there you go.

30th December 2015

If HP18 was priced the same or $20 more than HP12 I would always have a bottle of HP18 on hand, but the fact is the price is prohibitive. Chill filtered and coloring added in a $120 bottle of whisky that sometimes goes for $150?! It's not a bad bottle, it's just that there are more exciting options for $120 or less. Where HP18 really shines is with new whisky drinkers. I've given 4 people a dram, all of them with a beginner understanding of whisky and they all loved it, some of them saying it's the best they have had or it's allowed them to finally understand the appeal of drinking whisky. It has the perfect balance of flavors that don't offend but for whisky adventurers it might come off as a bit boring. If you're introducing people to whisky I couldn't recommend a better bottle.

29th December 2015

I got a bottle of this a couple of years back based on good reviews (not on here), at first I really didn't get what the fuss was about but the more I go back to it, the more I like it. A great all rounder if you give it a chance, whether it's worth the money is a matter for each individual to decide but I wouldn't say it was overrated.

26th December 2015

I am a relative newbie to this and made up an advent calendar with what I thought were less peaty choices. This is day 2, and...there's definite peat here. I'm reading the notes above. I had to look up botrytis. It's a MOLD!!!! I'm not sure why, but nosing this whisky made me want to sneeze and maybe that's why.... peaty, and acrid. Yes, I do taste a little of the fruit conserves as mentioned above. Sharp edged for this taster...complex and might appeal to some for that reason. Better than my first advent calendar day pick which was Dalmore 15 but still not likely to become a favorite. Too sharp at the finish for this taster.

3rd December 2015

I don't now yet, which batch is what I bought. HP is one of my favourite distillery, its very nice but not so "wow" feeling what I expected...

13th November 2015

At the cost, it should have made me happier when I first opened it. (6 months ago)
It did not. It actually made me wonder what all the fuss was about. It smelled and tasted like a young 3-5 year old that was not ready. I cringed as it was supposed to be 18.

Three months later and the liquid at just under the shoulder, I was still left very perplexed at what I had paid for, as it sure was not floating my boat, in nose or taste.

Now, at about 1/2 of the bottle... it has finally opened up to a different realm, of what it should have been when I opened it. (6 months after opening)

I like a good Single malt, from the peat to the sweet side of it. It just took way to long for this one to progress to where it should have been upon opening.

At least now, a dram will open up as it sits and give me those nice floral notes, sweet intoxicating honeys, and a creamy caramel.

The arrival is still nothing to make me want to write home to Grandma about, and the finish is exceedingly short and a tad hot. If I buy this again, I hope the batch is better. As per Ralfy, they seem to change a lot from batch to batch. That's bad when you cant keep up quality due to a bad Master Blenders nose.
4.5 from me.

12th October 2015

Very very nice dram indeed... however paying that price is completely unjustifiable!! For a scotch that has added coloring and is chill filtered I would of hoped for more bang for my buck, I will most likely never purchase another highland park, maybe the 12 year old as long as its reasonably priced....

4th October 2015

I disagree with some of the reviews here. This is a very good scotch. Has a very thick oily finish that is very remarkable. I tried this at a local bar and thought it was very good. Probably not worth the price tag of buying a bottle, but I would definitely try it again.

29th August 2015

HP18 used to be a nice safe go-to whisky to recommend to anyone who isn't a big fan of peat but would like to try something smoky with a good body and complex taste, but the last bottle I bought in autumn '14 and finished some time ago was as unimpressive as the Ardbeg special releases of late (Auriverdes, Kildalton, etc.). It's still ok and I can't find any flaws in it but neither is there anything that would really make it stand out, and at €100 there absolutely should be. The whisky industry may have forgotten this in their rush to please clueless millionaires, but €100 is quite a lot of money. Hence this baby is no longer welcome on my shelf as it is.

21st August 2015

Really disappointed wasting money on a over hyped whisky, calling this a great whisky is so over blown, yes it soft, bit of peat and sherry but again lacking any real substance.

I don't seem to be the only one with this view, more than a bad batch!

31st July 2015

I had great expectations for this whisky after the reviews this bottle has received, but found this whisky to be a real disappointment!
The main issue I have with it, is that it just doesn't seem to excel at any point. There is nothing distinctive that gives this whisky any hope of gaining any form of character, and when you consider the price point of this whisky, for me that's pretty poor.
Sure its smooth and relatively easy going, but it doesn't offer much more. It fails to inspire and the the flavour profile is lacking. In short its pretty boring.
It claims to be sweet like toffee, yet has nothing on the Maccallan, it mentions peat yet cannot hold a torch to the Ardbeg or Llaphroaig, on top of that it says it has a balance of these flavours yet is not as smoky and fruity as the lagavulin.
For me you can tell a good whisky from the infusion of aromas that linger within your glass, that are captured with each sip. To the point that when you visit your empty glass the day after, you can smell the richness of the dram. This has none of that. Again at this price point I expect so much more.
Will not be purchasing Hp again in the foreseeable future and would suggest to those that believe this is a great expression, you reach out a little further.

2nd July 2015

Bought it without having tasted it beforehand. At first i thought i've gotten a poor batch due to the harshness/bitternes that overwhelmed me. But, after a couple of weeks with regular tastings (4-5 drams total) it seemed that the bitternes had been toned down a lot and it became sweeter and more complex. I reckon this is due to the oxidation occuring in the bottle over time.
Not worth the price though, in my opinion.

16th June 2015

A few years ago not long after it was winning all the awards I tried this and was astonished at how good it was. Recently added a sample to my usual order and was equally astonished at how bad it has become. The smoke was there but with no sweetness or body, it tasted thin and watery and had no finish. Disapointing and at twice the price a rip off

10th June 2015

This 18 yr is priced way too high. Not as complex as glengoyne 15yr or yamazaki 12yr for that matter....the body is dull and boring for the price

23rd May 2015

Loved it from the first drink, has just about everything Including extreme drinkability.

28th April 2015

Called the best all around whisky there is and that is absolutely true. not exactly My best cup of Tea since my taste is more towards Islay but i can still dream about HP 18!

12th April 2015

had a bitter taste not whT I expected I like the 12 way better . maybe bad batch very upset for the price

24th March 2015

From a neat pour this dram lends a nose of oak, caramel flan, and a whiff of gorgeous peat. The honeyed palate is full and velvety with a touch of saltiness, and flows into a delicate, long, oaky and lightly smoked finish. Simply sublime! Not overly complex, but this one doesn't need it.

A lot of reviews have commented that it's overpriced. Personally, I wish whisky was free! (Maybe #whiskysanta will see this?) Unfortunately, despite what the distilleries are or aren't doing in or against our favor, if the demand is there, the price goes up. I'm not going to recommend we stop drinking this stuff, but if we did, would it be cheaper? Probably not.

Save those pennies.

5th March 2015

Tasty but to expensive and the batch differences
in the past don`t thrill me.
HATE all the NAS stuff they put out now days.
Macallan, Highland Park, Ardbeg`s strategy will fail belive me.

28th January 2015

It is quite good

23rd January 2015

If you add up the complexity from the nose to the finish at every sip, you get a lot for you money. Insane complexity and one of the longest finishes I've experienced in a whiskey. IT really takes you through a journey from nose to finish. Great experience.

22nd January 2015

Went to a tasting that included both the 18-yo and the Dark Origins, along with the common 12-yo (my usual Scotch). Was disappointed in the 18; no real added complexity to my palate relative to the 12, and much less flavorful than the Dark Origins. Will not be adding it to my bar.

17th January 2015

Very tasty sweet stuff indeed - round full palate with fruit, slight salt, and a little smoke - reminded me very much of JW Black - maybe a younger Highland Park features in that blend? Does seem a little over-priced though.

7th January 2015

Let me tell you... I just paid $130 for a bottle of this stuff in Miami, FL. When I first discovered it, it was $109. So, I understand why people are upset that the price has been inflating quickly. However, a good bottle of this stuff is truly one of the great Scotch whiskeys you are going to experience. It's just absolutely marvelous, and if you don't believe me, go buy a bottle and you'll see what I mean. smelling it as it calms down in your glass after pouring it is the absolute best. then, the signature highland park sweet turns dry effect on the palate couldn't possibly be captured better than it is here. the finish is great as well. the reality is that this whisky is still a good value at $130 a bottle. as for the batch quality issues, I've had 4 bottles of this in the past year and all of them were excellent batches except one, which had a slightly less quality finish. however, even that bottle was 90/100 stuff. this won best whisky in the world for a reason. it's one of the absolute best.

4th January 2015

This was offered to me as a gift, and what a surprise it was indeed! ! Deliciously smooth well balanced malt surely one of the best ive had thus far, would defenitely like to purchase another one but quite frankly I cant really justify spending 180$ canadian when there are more reasonably priced bottles in the same age statement for example a glenfarclas 25. Too much hype snobbery and marketing gimmick doesnt justify the price at all... perhaps if it were more natural cough cough un chillfiltered and natural contcolor and a higher alcohol then you might have something worthy of raising the price.

12th December 2014

i bought a couple of years ago for 55 pounds/btl .. now it costs me around 100 pounds or maybe more.. highland park is trying to build its reputation as a luxury brand just like the Macallan or Glenmorangie.. if the price keep going up, i will pass and focus on lesser known brand that still retain its good quality like aberfeldy, old pulteney

15th November 2014

My all time favorite whisky! A mild salty-smokey honeybutter experience, magnificently balanced. Used to cost 70 EUR about a year ago, now nearing a 100 EUR (Belgium). Still worth trying if you never have, but personally I'm passing for any more bottles at this price point.

14th November 2014

I enjoyed my bottle of HP 18 received as a present. But why is it nearly three times the price of the 12 year old? I certainly won't be buying anything from HP until they come totheir senses and reaslise that they must provide good value as well as a good product.

21st September 2014

Great whisky indeed and worthy of the praise it receives but as it's gone up by near £20 in the last two years you can forget it from me. Shame the whisky industry is run by greedy suits ever wanting more. So as the consumer I'll move into another quality dram a reasonable price. Always about money and how much more they can squeeze out while the quality diminishes and yet the masses keep paying it. Shameful. X

8th September 2014

Excellent whisky but the previous price point was good. The new one @ around €100 or more is just bonkers. HP, learn to rein in the greed or lose a customer for good.

7th August 2014

Even at 43%. Although the price has almost doubled in months

20th July 2014

Not much to add to the title. Nose is awesome -- so many flavors, if I were to drown in a whisky, this might be the one I'd pick. Palate is reasonable, somewhat similar to the nose, fruity but light in 'umami'. Finish is almost non-existent. Compares well to Green Spot, but a little more maltier.

6th May 2014

This is the stuff, you wanna get into malts, start at the top , u won't regret. I'm Norwegian, we got loads a money from the black gold, nows time to invest in malty gold, so get down to her lokal grog shop and ask the assistant ' I wanna highland park 18'. And sit at home and drink this stuff and say. ' this is the loyfe, this is moy dream fulfilled. Its full of smoofnis and creemy like a girls legs, if u aint ad much luck in bed this is a gud alternator. Bye malty mates, oym off to git some.

28th April 2014

Very balanced flavor with a light taste of smoke at the finish. The smoothest whisky I've ever tasted.

4th April 2014

beautiful single malt from Kirkwall! I can understand people's frustration with getting a bad batch. Fear not, Highland park has made sure this whisky is better than ever! This is really more or less highland park 19 as I understand it, with older stocks now being used

9th March 2014

Not the whisky it was, and so damned expensive now, if you're looking for great highland parks, then G&M are the place to go.

5th March 2014

Rich and tasty, one of the best single malts out there!

13th February 2014

Rating within class and price range. Exceptional value pushes it from a 9ish to 10.
This is 43% USA bottling.

7th February 2014

Batch LG276R l310/070 (least that's what it appears to be) - A trial size accompanying the 12 year package. A nice all-rounder building upon the whisky-of-all-regions character of the 12 by maturing downward a bit the alchohol fire, wood and smoke flush. Invoking a sense of well-being and comfort like your favorite dungarees, sweater and loafers. For my tastes, the most immediately enjoyable pour I've had including the very good Glendronach Revival 15 and Balvenie 15 SB.

7th February 2014

Reminds me of sitting in a small village pub in winter, fire blazing, sipping on honey warmth. I'm am not a huge scotch drinker.. but this one, this one could potentialy change me forever.

17th January 2014

My boss gave it as a gift. SPECIAL - the balance and texture is exquisite. The smokiness is refreshingly appropriate for a the smooth nature across the pallet. Treat yourself to the pleasure. You wont be disappointed. I loved it and have purchased another bottle for holiday guests. Thanks to my boss for the great taste.

14th December 2013

This is a challenging SMSW. Today you love it yet tomorrow you might hate it; But you still want it. It does not just give you what you want when you want it. You need to search for it and you need to earn it.

...The above statement reflects my actual feeling when i was frequently sipping it day in-day out. Such boldness and complexity, everything available in one beautiful package.

21st November 2013

Raise the ABV up to 46% or 48% and I wonder what would happen here. Would be very interesting and it could be outstanding.

26th October 2013

I can only give this whiskey a few words. They are the tears of a God.

1st August 2013

This is simply one of the best Whiskeys out there. I put it slightly below the Macallan 18, and in terms of value, it's at the top. Everyone talks about the balance, and I have to agree. I have tried the Highland 25 and the Highland 18 is much better head to head, in addition to costing 1/2 the price. It's smooth, balanced, full of flavor, and doesn't have the harshness of the 12 year. In my opinion 18 years is the optimal aging for Whiskey.

22nd July 2013

It if great whiskey, and personally I put it among top 10 scotch whiskeys I tried so far (~120 were sampled). We had four bottles of HP 18yo between my whiskey buddy and me, but recently got another bottle, which really different. It has really bad and bitter alcoholic taste with some HP character on background. I contacted HP distillery and got no response, but it seems from the internet reviews that several recent batches of HP 18 yo are indeed looks like mine. Bottom line: out of five bottle of HP 18 yo, four were great and one not good.

21st May 2013

Love it! As to the batch issue, my faith is renewed! I am once again a disciple of Highland Park 18! Still waters run deep.

18th April 2013

Keep your eyes peeled for Loki too, available very soon, but watch out he's a mischievous so-and-so! - The Chaps at Master of Malt

26th March 2013

I am a huge fan of Highland Park and single malts as well as bourbons in general. I'd have to say whisk(e)y only comes a few times a week for me as my main focus is craft beer, but I'm telling you Highland Park anything is hard to beat. I always have the 12,15, and 18 at my home bar. The 25 comes occasionally. But this is in my opinion the best 18 yr old single malt scotch on the planet. Ive had many good ones, but none have done it the way this one does it. Brilliant liquid here. Now let's hope I can get my hands on some 16,21,30,40 and maybe some Thor lol. Top shelf

25th March 2013

When given the choice I always come back to this one. By far my all time favourite scotch. I own a great collection, but this is the one I go to for those special occasions. When I close my eyes I feel like I'm in a gentleman's club in the 1930's, sitting back in a comfy leather armchair and sipping this slowly while enjoying a good cigar. Highly recommended.

7th March 2013

Normally, I absolutely love this scotch, but the last time round, I ended up with a dud of a bottle. After surfing around online, I saw that others are complaining as well. My bottle was not a freak of nature or the victim of "cork rot." It was just a bad batch, so to speak. When the 18 year is good, it's very good, but when it's bad it's dismal. Beware of recent batches.

5th March 2013

A superb Scotch, balanced and absolutely a joy to drink. As close to a perfect Scotch as you are going to get. I immediately went out and bought 2 back up bottles.

6th February 2013

I'm fairly new to single malts but so far this one is the best, I'm almost done with the first bottle but got 2 back up bottles :)

30th January 2013

The standard HP12 was the very malt to cause me to take whisky seriously, three years ago. After tasting, buying and gaining more whisky than I can really afford since, I finally treatd myself to a bottle recently. My, what a treat! I worried that I'd put it so high up in my mind prior to tasting, that it may fail to impress. No chance. From the first sniff to finishing my first glass I feel I have found a long term friend - presuming they maintain quality. I will certainly be buying another bottle in the future. If I had to pick a small fault, it would be better bottled at 46%, but this is an excellent dram to be savoured. Keep it consistent HP.

31st December 2012

Lovely perfectly balanced whisky, although on occasion I do get more out of the 1998 travel 12 year old. Overpriced here in australia: $160.00! I just also got the overpriced leif eriksson travel edition, overpriced but lovely stuff, there is a lot of hate out there for the eriksson HP, but let it breath for at least half an hour (with a lid) it really opens up.

18th August 2012

After Lafroaig and Lagavulin, this one does not impress much (though it has some unusual peaty traits).

9th August 2012

Decadent whiskey! This is perfect for every mood and if I was a high roller I would sip this until the cows came home! I wanna bathe in this wonderful creation.

3rd July 2012

This one is quite possibly the best-balanced whisky I've ever tried. It's got a bit of everything - smoke, but not overpowering, a touch of honey sweetness, a delicious salty tang and a mouthwatering finish. One of my 4-5 favourite whiskies.

22nd June 2012

Icon!

17th April 2012

An exeptional whisky.

I have a collection of around 50 single malts and I have to say this beats them all. Superbly balanced and smooth - a night in front of an open fire is made for this offering from Orkney. Well done HP, well done indeed

22nd February 2012

I have to say I agree with pretty much all the positive and critical reviews here.
Firstly it is exceptionally well balanced, and a fine whisky.
But i also have to agree with one of the more critical reviewers; I also fail to really get excited by it.
Perhaps because it is too balanced? maybe it doesn't excel in any one area but hits so many notes well.

Still.... I have to recommend it, its a mighty fine malt.

7th January 2012

B**ger me, this is good isn't it?

25th October 2011

I just can't get excited about this whisky. I've quickly built up a collection of different single malts over the last couple of years and regularly buy samples too but this one doesn't give me much to shout about. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine whisky, but after 5 or 6 glasses (over the course of time - not one night!) it still fails to inspire me as many other whiskies have. I think at some point it was voted the best single malt in the world so I'm clearly in the minority but, hey - it's all down to taste!

10th August 2011

Perfect balance in sweetness and smokiness. I Agree with "The word is balance" post, you can almost find a bit of everything in this whisky, all in perfect balance with every other flavor. Buy it, drink it and enjoy. This whisky is a special one.

15th July 2011

I love all types of whisky: sherried, smoky, peaty, briney, floral, honeyed, spicy - you name it, if it is a good version of its genre, I will happily drink it. This one has all these things - in balance. None dominate, all blend together. I have to say that in my view this is way way better than the 12 year. And it is one of the best I have drunk. If i said it was also a bit like some of the better Japanese whiskies - but seemed just a tad more authentic - how would you take that? I hope like a shot - cos authenticity comes cheaper in this case. £50 well spent!

30th March 2011

If you think the 25 and 30 is good, try this. It's better. Oh yes. Believe you me. This is one of the best bottlings to come out of Scotland.

5th December 2010

This one MUST be in every whiskylovers collection etc. DRINK IT & ENJOY!!!

25th May 2010

By far the best HP in the standard bottlings. Perfectly balanced.

15th March 2010