Highland Park Valfather REVIEW: Is this a PEAT BOMB?

[@PezrulezHaakon]

Thank you Geoff. As always, your honesty is soo helpful. I've had the 12yo wich I wasn't crazy about. I enjoyed it, but not that much to be shure of replacing the bottle. I've got the 18yo, but havent tried it yet. But I did try the second release of the Cask Strength, wich I really loved. That was like the 12yo on steroids. Soo full flavoured 😋

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks! I'm a big fan of the Cask Strength batch 1. Apparently the batch 2 is better still. Really interested to try it!

[@SaltyCuban]

Really enjoyed the humor in this video Geoff. For the past several years, it seems like HP is more about marketing and aesthetics than quality and integrity. I do love their type of peat. It’s unique. I call it “twiggy” smoke. I really liked the 12 of old. Haven’t had the new one yet. I enjoyed the 18 as well but it doesn’t justify the price locally ( @140 ). Also purchased a discontinued 15 yr old for a solid price ($60) but haven’t opened it yet.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I mean I definitely make fun of them quite a lot, but they're kind of asking for it. 😉 Haven't seen the 15 in years here. I think you echo a lot of people's sentiment about HP18. Good, but overpriced.

[@WhiskyLock]

I really liked this HP. I picked one up last year at a really good price and thoroughly enjoyed it and when it featured in last year's Master of Malt advent calendar it finished near the top of my leaderboard. Sometimes it's hard to tell if they're being serious with their rather out there marketing... but to be fair I've liked most of the viking releases despite the silliness and occasional high prices. As to whether this is the peatiest HP, I'd say no but it's probably upper 20%. Curious to know how old you think this one is? Thanks for the review.

[@RK-ll4ku]

Loved your review of this whisky.. definitely quite a bit of complexity there 👍

[@Gwhisky]

Just watched your review. I don't know how old it is, and I hesitate to hazard a guess. But I definitely didn't get as much maturity as you. Interesting, many of your descriptors rang true, but we differ in our overall assessment. Interesting. Great channel btw... been watching for several weeks now!

[@WhiskyLock]

@@Gwhisky Thanks Geoff! I've been keeping up with your videos too. It is very difficult to guess the ages of whisky, especially with what I suspect is a fairly complicated multi-vintage vatting. I would guess a spread of casks between 10 and the high teens. To my tastes it's pretty well put together although I've heard so many others slate this whisky that I'm wondering if it's just a flavour profile that happens to really appeal to myself. It probably helps that I have always been a fan of Highland Park. Well... except for the 12yo which I just can't stomach at that watery 40%! Cheers!

[@mauricioscg8809]

Great Review Geoff! Any thoughts on Valknut? Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

If memory serves I'd give it a similar score. But in all honesty, it's been a while.

[@sunryse111]

You've highlighted another one on my shopping list, Geoff - although to be honest, it's a long list and it's not near the top. I'll get there! I love the look on your face as you read the marketing blurb. Do they really think anyone takes all that stuff seriously? But as long as they include the important stuff, we can accept the entertainment. Keep it up - you have a great channel.

[@Gwhisky]

Thanks Sunryse! Lol I don't know anyone that takes these HP bottles seriously. I suspect the marketing team knows this as well. Might be a bit of intentional tongue-in-cheek fun going on there. Harmless I suppose if the whisky is good, which it is... sometimes.

[@steveno7058]

Nice jokes! Highland Park makes some good stuff: Dark Origins, Full Volume, and Twisted Tattoo are all very good.

[@Gwhisky]

Still haven't grabbed a bottle of Twisted Tattoo.

[@thosho]

Val Kilmer 😂 I think there’s a few other HPs I need to prioritize trying before this one as I’ve only had the 12 and 18 so far. I really appreciate your thoughtful reviews!!

[@Gwhisky]

Cheers Thor! Is the cask strength as overpriced in Japan as it is in Taiwan?

[@thosho]

@@Gwhisky I’ve just seen in on sale for 8700 yen or about 100 CAD but it regularly sells for 10,000 yen. That seems to be on par with most of the world I think…? Considering Glenallachie cask strength comes with a 10 year age statement and retails for like 6500 yen that’s pretty expensive, but not nearly as bad as laphroaig 10 cask strength which is about 200 CAD out here!

[@andrewmainprice2179]

I like the hp12 but would love to see it at 46 abv

[@Gwhisky]

We all would. We can dream!

[@NadeLover]

does anyone know the age?

[@greenvalley651]

I agree with you 💯%

[@Gwhisky]

Awesome! Always good to hear from you, Green!

[@dairyyang5457]

Haha i thought you would like it more!😆 The most peated HP I have tried though, guess that is why l so like it. Real balls out there from IBs? Will try! Indeed HP CS is too expensive here, and even just NAS... As a HP fan, I'm gonna buy it still.😂 Price of whisky seems never go down...

[@Gwhisky]

I currently have an open bottle of a “Watt Whisky Orkney single malt” 16 year old. It doesn't say Highland Park on the label, but it is. Huge “balls!” Massive HP peaty flavours. Taiwan exclusive. It's cask strength and sherried, and it's an absolute beast! This Valfather is nice, but I'm sure it suits you more than me. Still good, and I still appreciate your recommendations. Keep them coming!

[@dairyyang5457]

Will keep that Watt beast in mind! I rarely try IB because there still are so many OB haven't tried yet, and bigger problem is "how to choose IB". Appreciate your recommendation!

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

Nice review Geoff. Prices have always been keeping me away from Highland Park and from what I hear those "Val-whatever" ("Viking Legends" series actually) are nothing to write home about. The three expressions come at roughly 65 euros which is plain absurd for young NAS whisky. You mentioned metallic note in the Valfather which may be the youth of the spirit they tried to mask with the peat. This works most of the times with young Islays but they are significantly peatier. I have tasted the 12 yo/40% and found it to be OK, easy sipping but utterly uneventful malt. In the stash I have an old bottle of the 18 yo/43% from before they went completely overboard with the viking BS, a bottle of the new Cask Strength and a Signatory Vintage "Unnamed Orkney" 46%, 12 yo, vatting of two ex-bourbon hogsheads. Still yet to be opened. Too many bottles, to few time, you know :) I've been having my eye on Dark Origins, Twisted Tattoo and Full Volume expressions but, as I said, their prices are optimistic, to put it mildly. Good thing is they are from what appears to be imports from 2-4 years ago and have kept their original prices which are slowly starting to appear normal these days, especially considering that Full Volume and Twisted Tattoo bear decent age statements of 18 and 16 years. Oh, well.... Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I've tried Valkyrie and got roughly the same level of enjoyment from that as I did from this. The Cask Strength is definitely on the wish list, but it's about double the international asking price here. The Dark Origins is still my favourite HP. Here the price is reasonable and it's really good stuff. It's said to be roughly 15 years old, and it tastes about that age, but of course we don't know. A good bottle that's worth trying, though!

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

@@Gwhisky In Bulgaria Dark Origins goes for roughly 72 euros. Twisted Tattoo and Full Volume are 96 euros each. Far, far from what I consider a bargain. The Cask Strength is out of stock except for occasional bottle here and there with absurd price. I bougth my bottle almost immediately after it hit the shelves. IMHO, if you don't want to pay the inflated price for the first release your best bet is to wait for the second one. It has already been announced that after the success of the first release Higland Park is going to put another one out.

[@lewisduffy675]

Val Kilmer bahahaha! 'Tombstone' Edition! Personally I'm holding out for the Star Wars 'Darth' Series (tm), now with collectible action figures! ;) Being pretty much a peat wuss, HP12 used to be my go-to peated single malt; that is until I discovered whiskies with real depth of flavour and complexity. Come on Highland Park, just give us the 12 year old at 46%, unchillfiltered. How hard could it be f*#@sakes?

[@Gwhisky]

Agree. I've got a soft spot for the 12, but it's certainly neutered. It would be a banger at 46%!

[@lewisduffy675]

@@Gwhisky Neutered is a good word for it. My house blend these days is 1:1 HP12 and Arran Sherry Cask, both whiskies I don't love on their own. Tempted to try the Ledaig 10 on your recommend but not a fan of big smoke. How do you think it compares in terms of ppm to say HP12 or Glen Scotia 15? Cheers.

[@Gwhisky]

@@lewisduffy675 Ledaig is definitely smokier than HP12 and the Scotia 15. It's not a brutal, medicinal smoke like some Islays, but it's no shrinking violet in terms of smoke. Might be a good one if you want to dabble with heavier peat but don't want to go all-in.

[@lewisduffy675]

​@@Gwhisky Ok good to know. I find many of the Islays overpowering and one-note. Cheers bud so fun watching the channel grow you'll be at 10,000 in no time!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah 10k you say? Suppose I should just quit my job and start drinking daily in the name of fame and fortune. 😉😂

[@alfocrown]

i will only stay with old label hp when i still able to find them on dusty shelf