Highland Park’s 18 Year Old was given a fresh look in 2017, drawing design inspiration from the wood carvings of Norway’s Urnes Stave Church – and gaining the proud title “Viking Pride”. The whisky itself remains unchanged – a rich and complex Orkney single malt with layers of heather honey, dried fruit and gentle smoke. Matured in sherry-seasoned oak, it’s every bit as balanced and rewarding as fans have come to expect.
A profusion of ripe floral notes and fresh blossom with a delectable fruit salad. Notes of honeyed exotic fruits with a little botrytis.
Creamy and full with fruit conserves and espresso. A creaminess with cinnamon and allspice. Notes of toffee with thick black forest honey with a touch more citrus.
Long and well sugared with a herbal edge.
As well as adding gifts to lucky MoM orders, #WhiskySanta is granting wishes on social media every day! Hit the button above and let them know what you'd like. It could be yours!
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.
