Highland Park 21 (Which to choose?)

[@cliffnorman178]

What a great comparison video once again. The two of you are totally honest, down to earth and unpretentious, which is so admirable.

[@topshelfwhisky]

I always appreciate the kind words Cliff. You try any of these hp 21’s?

[@josteinaune]

Great comparison as always!

[@Houman7]

Thanks guys for transparency, I bought newer version of 21 year old from November 2019 for 330$ tax included and I’m still regretting it. Recently found an older version from 2013 for 380$ with shipping from Netherlands and planned on purchasing it but after your review I completely changed my mind. Edrington soon destroy both Macallan and Highland Park with greed and horrible management.

[@topshelfwhisky]

That amount would be better spent on Bruichladdich Black Art, Balvenie 1509 or Glengoyne 25… should all be a similar price.

[@Artem_Kul]

If they will destroy Macallan and Higland Park together, they will become astronomically more expensive. So buy It and be rich ☺️

[@tall3431]

As always, straightforward and honest. You saved me $$$ on these newer 21yr releases...

[@topshelfwhisky]

As a big Highland Park fan, I was wondering the same thing with these new releases of the 21/ 25 /30. My suspicions were conformed... the quality went down. At least in with the 21 year.

[@tall3431]

@@topshelfwhisky Agree 100% Your channel was one of the main things that got me down the HP highway. I still the distillery puts out good Scotch, I just think I missed the window on the great stuff...

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@tall3431 I was late to the game myself. In the early 2000’s they were cask strength and $150 🙄

[@foodquig]

Any 21 year old single malt scotch is big money in my neighborhood. If I ever buy one it's maybe once a year for special occasions only... I would like to see Old Pulteney 21again!

[@topshelfwhisky]

That was a really good whisky, even the 17 year is gone now. But OP 35 is available. 😉

[@foodquig]

@@topshelfwhisky I have the 18 which is as good as the 17 in my books, but a 35 would be hard to find around here and I most likely would need to save up like I did for that trip to Scotland in order to afford a bottle LOL

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@foodquig I’ve just seen pictures but that box is next level. 😳

[@rsconnor01]

As usual, you guys are on the money with your review!

[@topshelfwhisky]

Thanks buddy

[@martincaravati9417]

Glad I tried a 2-oz sample of the 21 y November release before springing for whole bottle as I was quite disappointed. Expected a lot more from a $300+ bottle. It’s not worth double the price of the 18 by a long stretch. I’m guessing the recent 25s are not worth $800 either 😏

[@topshelfwhisky]

To be fair the older 25’s (45.7) are not worth $800. The 48.1 are of you can find one.

[@LitoCortes]

I know there might too many factors to really pin point some of these differences in expressions between distillation and bottling dates but to me the biggest culprit comes down the quality of some of these barrels or lack thereof. Not sure if some of these barrels are being rushed prior to being put to use, the fact that more sherry seasoned casks are being used...I don't know, I might be way off. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@topshelfwhisky]

I'm sure they are rushing the maturation on the sherry casks. The word "seasoned" is a big turn off for me.

[@markhanson6914]

@@topshelfwhisky all sherry casks are seasoned and have been for more than 30 years. The decline in quality has a lot to do with very little old growth european red oak available any more. There are not a lot of drinkers of aged sherry any more so I imagine that poorer quality sherry is being used to season the casks. I sucks as high quality long aged sherry cask whisky with lots of secondary and tertiary maturation is a beautiful thing.

[@nicholasmartin1881]

Old 18 is better than their new 25 2019 spring release. Yes they have lost their way.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

Wow, that's pretty disappointing sounding. How old is old? I haven't bought the new 25...but reviews have been it's an average but not special 25 based on what I've seen so far.

[@nicholasmartin1881]

@@topshelfdustin3060 old is pre viking and post 90s bottling.

[@topshelfdustin3060]

@@nicholasmartin1881 ok I have some of the pre viking stuff from a few years before the change. I rather enjoy it but if the new 25 is worse...wow that's awful.

[@Houman7]

@@topshelfdustin3060 Unfortunately he’s right. Sampled their new 25 and wasn’t impressed at all. Their brand ambassador in a talk with malt activists confirmed those red label 18 year olds had single malt up to 30 years in them but new bottles are more honest bottles. Mean nothing more than 18 year.

[@nicholasmartin1881]

@@topshelfdustin3060 Yeah man. I bought a 25 2019 spring realease expecting good things considering all the good things I heard about HP 25. Was disappointing, I happily fell back to the pre viking HP 18. Been through about 5 bottles of pre viking HP, just simply delicious and enjoyable. Only one of those bottles were wear a dud and had no flavour. For me a whisky at the end of the day is about how much I enjoyed it, not about complexity and abv.

[@thedraminator6103]

Hey Big M. Is that painting in the background between the windows one of Mr. D's paint by numbers masterpieces ❓Highland Park 21yr. unattainable for my money clip. 💰 but enjoyed the stream just the same.

[@topshelfwhisky]

Lol, some artist in San Francisco. Maybe in 100 years it will be worth something. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kirbyculp3449]

Invest in Bob Ross.

[@teddyballgame25]

Just picked up the 2020 for $250 out the door on whisky world. Anyone tried this release?

[@topshelfwhisky]

We have not… yet

[@topshelfdustin3060]

I will be checking scores to see if this one offers enough difference from the last 3 21's. So far reviews aren't making me think this one is much different, but only a few are out. All 3 were good at that 250 ish price point I think.

[@kopira]

No -nonsense lineup, and saves my money , HP sales all good/excellent liquid for IB's probably ;)

[@topshelfwhisky]

IB are hit and miss to some degree but probably a safer bet than what is being sold from the distillery.

[@primewhisky]

Great vid as usual but HP 21y does not suit my taste😬 Only tried a couple of the old bottles

[@topshelfwhisky]

That surprises me, you like sherry and Islay whiskies. Like any HP?

[@primewhisky]

@@topshelfwhisky the only ones i liked is the 25y and 30y😋

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@primewhisky Hard to dislike those :)

[@mitar512]

I was lucky to find old HP21 for 240$

[@topshelfwhisky]

Good find.

[@andrewlordon8734]

46% for this and 25....hard NO

[@topshelfwhisky]

These are all 21 year olds

[@andrewlordon8734]

@@topshelfwhisky reread my post. Stating the 21 and 25 are a lack luster 46%, messed up a good thing they did.

[@topshelfwhisky]

@@andrewlordon8734 that makes more sense. Yes, they have degraded over the years. HP was one of my favorite five distilleries I originally got into scotch, like Talisker. Both have continue to disappoint as we move forward.