Highland Park 18 Year Old - Viking Pride Whisky 70cl

Have enjoyed this whisky over many years, had to buy the new bottle as the old stash finally used up, the previous issue was definitely 5 star, smooth, delicious, pleasing on the tongue, this revised edition is less so, slightly sharp, less fruity and an alcohol blast hits the sinus, glad I did not buy a case this time, a good whisky, but, I shall pay the extra and get the older version (if available) when I get a case. Not yet tried the NEW rebranding.

Just back from Orkney, and Highland Park.

Tried the 18 against 12- 18 much better but @ 3 times the s/mkt price of 12

Also had the Kirkwall HP shop only 15YO Cask strength (@£230), and the Distillery Tour only 14 Yo Cask strength @ £175. Preferred it to the pricier 15

Having “Done the Tour” I asked if I could come back tomorrow for a 2nd bottle of the “Distillery only 14” if I found liked it ?

“Only available in the Tasting Rooms, so to get back in to buy another, you would need to buy another tour”, said the charming young lady ! So I hid in a corner, opened and tasted my bottle, liked it, so bought a 2nd !

Beautiful. Smooth & tasty. For the price, I dont think it can be beaten.

adequate, but nothing special, one dimensional, almost- strong leather, saddle taste, a bit orange zest

If it was a car it would be a VW, competent but uninspiring, it didn't live up to its price point for me.

I never thought Highland Park 18 would taste thin in mid palette, limited range in aroma, and the peat overwhelming a light-medium weight malt product. Good to great single malts balance the mouthfeel and aromas in harmony. This product lacks in all departments excepting the price point. This best of effort achievement will do very well masquerading as high end offering from Jameson or Canadian Club!

Good without being great.

After 10 minutes in the glass, you gave a very nice smocky caramel smell and a hint of Wood. On the palate, again, the attack is very sweet with caramel notes and a gentle smock, but then, the final comes very woody and you have this bitterness that stays quiet a long minute. Considering the price, I will not pay this much for a whisky not perfectly balanced.

The Glengoyne 18 is nowhere near as good. I'm drinking them side by side right now in fact. The HP contains older whiskies than 18, it is evident from the smoothness and refinement. The 18 Glengoyne isn't rounded and is all heavy vanilla wood and sugar. The 18 Glengoyne is good, but it's 30 quid cheaper for good reason.

It's a lovely whisky and certainly one I would recommend if the price allowed it. Taking the price into account, there are whiskies of equal quality and taste for far less. Taking the cost/value into account, I can't give this whisky more then 1,5 stars.