Highland Park 18 Year Old

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