HIGHLAND PARK - UNCUT & UNFILTERED EP. 13

Welcome to the latest episode of the Uncut and Unfiltered podcast, where we dive into Highland Park and explore everything from their entry-level staples to their luxury drams. In this episode, we're focusing on the Highland Park distillery, one of the most respected names in the whisky industry.
Join us as we discuss the 12 year old bottle, which is often touted as an excellent entry-level option for those just getting into whisky. We'll also be sampling some of Highland Park's special releases, as well as their 21 year old , which is known for its exceptional quality and depth of flavor.
But it's not all about the whisky itself - we'll also be delving into the Viking-themed marketing that Highland Park has become known for, and discussing whether or not it truly lives up to its reputation. Is the marketing just a gimmick, or is there something deeper to be explored here?
So grab a dram and join us for an insightful and entertaining conversation about all things Highland Park. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and leave a comment with your thoughts on this episode - we'd love to hear from you!

[@maltmoment]

Another great episode, gentlemen! Highland Park makes such a great distillate and it’s fascinating to see how the product and brand has evolved since Edrington acquired them. The most recent batches of the 12 year were very good, but the 18 just feels thin and too “stereotypically peaty”.

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

thanks for watching and great to hear your thoughts!

[@billmonteith1161]

Great craic gentlemen. May I say this channel is very more-ish. HP is a favorite and I have had some excellent indie bottlings from them(especially SMWS) and they will always occupy some shelf space in my collection. Cheers

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

you may indeed, thank you Bill. we've actually got an indie episode being filmed next week and a cracking HP in the lineup so stay tuned!

[@benattfield155]

Ian has inspired me to make a smokey cokey for the first time. Unexpectedly satisying, i must say!

[@sandymacdonald8485]

Very enjoyable lads. The only Highland Park I have is the Dark Origins which I really enjoy but the 15 is on my list now.

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

nice one Sandy - let us know what you think!

[@paulm749]

Over here in Texas, Highland Park 12 has been a 43% ABV bottling since I first tried it about seventeen years ago. While I would say that the current bottling doesn't have quite the depth of that older example, it's still good whisky and I will occasionally buy it. In my humble opinion, where Highland Park's quality has shown it's most serious decline is with their 18 year old. When I first tried that (again, @ seventeen years ago) I thought it was probably the best whisky that had ever passed my lips. I was fortunate enough to find two bottles of the pre-Viking themed 18 early last year, and it was still quite good. However, a few months ago I bought the current bottling of the 18 and it was noticeably diminished in a direct comparison with the older stuff; it just didn't have as much complexity and same sort of rounded flavors, coming off a bit flat. I've tried a few others in their core range, and they've all been pretty good value. The NAS cask strength is... interesting, but for the money I would definitely buy the 15 instead. Great conversation, guys!

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

thanks for sharing your thoughts Paul and interesting to hear more of the same on the 18..

[@KnickKiller]

The first time I took to Scotch was a Christmas tasting with family and friends around the kitchen table. 10, 12, 15 and 18. I believe the 18 was $98CDN back then. $230CDN today... = (

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

that's a fair price jump! how long ago are we talking?

[@KnickKiller]

@@TheWhiskyBaron 2005/2006 *Provincial Liquor Store in New Brunswick (ANBL) They just increased the price of whisky across all of Canada as of April 1st by another 6%. = (

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

@@KnickKiller you're talking 18 years ago in fairness, you're bound to see some inflation in prices. we're the same over here - hopefully they won't rise any further!

[@KnickKiller]

@@TheWhiskyBaron It never does seem that long ago, does it. Enjoy a nice dram for yesteryear. 🥃

[@ninetyZeven]

( Mostly Highland + mixed with Orkney peat, I believe. No source I can find again there. )

[@Dan-hn1lx]

The 10 is a waste of time the 12 is half decent but the 15 is great it has a good abv and the years in the cask start to show some real quality. I do think Highland Park could be improved and presenting it at a decent abv and no chill filtering would be a great start. I'm with old mate with the style of peat it just doesn't tickle my fancy but I love the big hitters like Laphroiag and Bruichladdich but the Highland Park peat for some reason is slightly off putting. Cheers lads I'm loving the podcast!!

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

15 seems to be the winner all around! thanks for getting involved Dan, appreciate your input

[@graemebucknall2331]

Not a fan of the highland park you can get is it the 10 or 12 yr .. anyway I got bought the Viking for my anniversary and that is a more enjoyable . I do love the videos Jake ..

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

fair play, bit of a level up for you there. thanks for watching Graeme!

[@MrPsiman]

glad it's 43% here in the U.S.

[@MrPsiman]

the newer CS versions are really nice for $80 and unchill filtered

[@erwinweening709]

and how do jou guy's like the rebrand?

[@jamesangus7253]

Highland Park can still produce a decent/good whisky. The 10yo or 12yo is a decent daily sipper at a reasonable price. The Valk series were a step up from those. 18yo is overpriced and underwhelming. Of the OBs the 10yo Ambassadors bottle is the highlight with a strong cost to yummy ratio. The biggest problem is that the indie bottles are just better versions of Highland Park whisky. Best version (cost to yummy ratio) probably Infrequent flyers 21yo.

[@ytbenny1964]

No, no, no…..just try to make good whisky Highland Park. I don’t need any fluff.