whisky review 20 - Highland Park 12 y.o.

[@lyallbaybum69]

Totally agree Ralfy.Really love your reviews,very informative. My late grandfather,Bill Scollay worked at the distillery for many years and through him i aquired the taste for malts and haven't looked back!

[@whydoesthismatter]

I just purchased this as my first scotch after watching a large amount of your very informative and entertaining videos. This whisky is great I'm incredibly pleased with my purchase. Thank you for the reviews ralfy!

[@TheSoteriologist]

1:34 - 1:40 Now now, Ralfy, but that is simply because of bottle shape. Naturally, if the bottle is flattened, there is more light influx into the bottle center than if it is equally thick in all directions.

[@smokindave74]

Hey Ralfy, Relatively new to your reviews, and I love them. I watch several a day. You have a real gift for reviewing, and a great persona. Just bought some HP 12 yr old based on your review. I love it. A pricey little number in Minnestoa, US. $52. But it is great. Great flavors.

[@broncofan06241978]

Ralfy, I tried this and wasn't so sure about it at first. Since then I've been learning more and more about Whisky (thanks in no small part to your videos) and decided to give it another try. I have to say I am so very much enjoying this Whisky now! Thank you for your insights and, without sounding too cliche', thank you for helping teach people that Whisky is a journey, not a destination!

[@CPW1991]

Ralfy truly does stay true to himself, watched review 841extras not too long ago and he preaches the same thing as in this review from 11 years ago: -No Chill filtering -Bottle at 46% -No added colouring Ralfy, a toast to you!

[@matteolonghi]

Hi Ralfy! Just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your reviews! You were right on the money in recommending HP 12 as a good introduction into scotch. I had tried a few scotches before and not really enjoyed them but liked HP enough to purchase a bottle. Hopefully I'll be able to branch out in the future. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Daniel-zm5fc]

Enjoying a glass of HP 12 right now. Love the videos Ralfy. Scotch prices in Tennessee are a little high across the board with HP 12 at $52. But it was well worth it. Cheers!!

[@Sipp0n]

Ralfy, two things: First, I would like to say thanks once again for helping me start my single malt journey! I have found your videos very helpful and informative. Second: I just purchased my first bottle of HP 12 and am incredibly happy with it, but I noticed that I have the "old-style" bottle, and it says 43% ABV, do you think the difference in color is due the dilution? Or is it really a difference in the process of making the scotch?

[@Duviewer]

I had my first taste of Highland Park 12, and it was as you have described...I found it to be a well-balanced Whisky. ...will keep this one on my list as a choice. I did not take a good look at the bottle at the bar, but I think that the bottle has been changed again, since the time of your review?

[@beefjerky444]

Yesterday I drank two glasses of this while I smoked a Montecristo No. 2 Cuban Cigar. These two went very well together. In both the Cigar and the Whisky I equally tasted lots of chocolate, cream, peanuts and hazelnuts. Next to that a very aromatic 2nd layer of cinnamon soaked in Ethiopian coffee, combined with the fruity side of orange and lemon zest. The third layers were tasting darkish deep caramel and oak wood. Both the Whisky and the Longfiller strengtened each others flavors.

[@TheTincan1313]

I am new to the single malt world. I have tried many and I have to say that this one is my favorite. I think it's superb.

[@irishboy2k10]

I know you can still get the old presentation bottle on Noirmoutier which is in Vendée for 27e! I was there two years ago, they still have several bottles of Laphroaig 14yrs; for maybe 39e, (I think there is a 12 but I cannot be sure). These are well below collector prices, often these can be a treasure trove if the locals do not acknowledge them, Supermarché.

[@perseus123]

I'm so thankful you reviewed this one. I had always seen/heard of Highland Park, but never tried it. The name doesn't sound as sophisticated as a Clynelish for example. Anyhow, I bought a bottle the other day and it's absolutely delicious. Has a little hint of so many other great scotches in there in just the right way. Can't wait to try the 18 year old! Hope I don't get a bad batch.

[@RadioLaboratory]

Ralfy...hey!!! hows life?! Rob-o here. Just finished and quite happily completed my characterization of the HP12yo...bigbang tastes 4 the preverbial buck. Cound not do w/o this 12yo in my cabinet. Its that good...consistently!! For me, my friend @ an American 43% this is an easy 8.95 on the ID scale of 1.0 thru 10.0.

[@RobertUWL]

i hated it (this was my first single malt bottle ever and i did not know about smoke) but now over 25 different bottles later - this is one of my favorites !! is has really everthing what a scotch has to offer .. please keep up your great reviews - i love it - very amusing and informative ! cheers from austria

[@VectraChrisC]

I received a bottle of 21 year old Highland park as a gift, and absolutely loved it. Bar the dodgy bottle it was packaged in. (I work in a bottle shop and you are correct, its essentially a bulleit bourbon bottle they are packaged in these days.) I was told it is only available via Duty free outlets. Any idea if this is true? Pardon my ramblings, what I mean to ask is have you tried a bottle? And will you offer a review. Regards.

[@deinfluencing]

Hi Ralfy, I was at a whisky festival last night and two things: 1. the HP booth said the 15 year is exclusively bourbon cask matured. 2. I don't actually like HP12 but I LOVED the 15... The mossy peat without the smoke bomb was a treat! Do you care for the 15 at all and have you heard whether or not it's exclusively bourbon cask or not?

[@IDontKnow-bb6mt]

Wow love your reviews, I have watched quite a few now. I normally love Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Glenlivet and you scored all of those considerably lower than Highland Park. I'm really looking forward to picking up a bottle and trying this out!

[@Arundodonax]

Tried this for the first time tonight, and it's damn good stuff. Better with a few drops of water. I love that Orkney peat flavor, different from the peat I've tasted before. I get the burning leaves for sure, and maybe even a faint hint of leather? Sweet, fruits, lots to dissect in there. Still a newbie so not so good at articulating what I'm sensing. Dying to try the HP 18. Got a bottle of that lying around you're thinking about reviewing Ralfy?

[@wbsMullet]

Currently in Tesco for £24 - just opened a bottle. Have to say I'm very impressed with it, really agree with the "bit of everything" observation, which is perfect for me as I can never settle on an Islay or Speyside style of whisky!

[@MagnusFender]

Hey Ralfy - big fan! I have recently discovered Whisky, and I find this world to be very exciting! I'm thinking about buying a bottle tomorrow, and this Hp 12 seems to be good value - or maybe the Jw Black lable instead? (which is slightly cheaper, and a blend, but it is spoken very highly of) I've tried the Karuizawa 1971 - Fantastic! Lagavulin 16 ( a favourite) and Laphroaig 10, which doesn't hold a candle to Laga 16 in my opinion. Cheers, from a young whisky-enthusiast! Magnus

[@markyboyc24]

hi ralfy bought a bottle of hp 12 last week. and just got round to having a wee dram last night.and found it very very Smokey. which i found was overpowering to the nose..and even this morning I could smell the smoke from my empty glass. wasn't a malt magic moment for me haha..

[@jgroves306]

Ralfy I have recently purchased myself a bottle of HP and am thoroughly enjoying it! As I am still relatively new to the malt mania, would you be able to recommend 2 malts for me either side of the HP spectrum - eg, a slightly more peaty malt, and a sweeter malt. Many thanks!

[@AmericanPsycho08]

Hey Ralfy just tried Highland Park 12 last night for the first time and it was great. Thank you for the recommendation. Cheers!

[@williamswhistlepipes]

Yes the cap is in good order and its been in the loft at my mother wraped in paper so eye it's in canny nic...what do you think it may be worth? I haven't a clue.

[@cato451]

88/100 is too low...should be 92/100 simply because it is excellent whisky at an affordable cost. I buy it for US$38 per bottle. I am an HP nut since I read a Michael Jackson review a dozen or so years ago. The 18YO is sublime I reserve for special occasions. Great review site Ralfy, keep 'em coming!!!!

[@badcopnodonuts21]

Hello Ralfy, Just looking for some advice. I recently just got into drinking scotch. I bought a bottle of Jameson 18 (Faily decent). Bought a bottle of Glinlevet 15 (Tastes Wonderful) A bottle of Balvenie 12 doublewood (Ok tasting) Then a highly recommened bottle of Highland Park 12, which i have found out is not to my liking. Maybe the peat, but im not sure. I feel like i have wasted money on that really. What would be a decent recommendation for a newbie that isnt "Peaty"? Thank you. James

[@agrisbatna1797]

Hi Ralfy,, l found bottle Higland Park 12 old bottle, (same label,,left side)still not opened, question it's much different, ?! Thanks

[@JWSimmonsIV]

Hey Ralfy, I just nosed and tasted my first single malt whisky, a 12 year old Highland Park 50ml bottle after watching Whisky Review #20. I got 4 drams out of this bottle. My first nosing and tasting of this single malt whisky, I thought I was going to die, it was sooo terrible I wanted to spit it out, but I did my best to savor it anyway. By the time I got to the 4th dram I started to change my tune and could see myself with enough time getting to know it, I could enjoy this single malt whisky. Is this the case with most whiskys? Once you get pass the initial shock to the body of a different kind of spirit, you get use to tasting it and then after spending some more time getting to know the whisky, you get to enjoy it even more, is this right?

[@RobertUWL]

hey Ralfy ! I would love to see a Video from you of the Highland Park 18 - a great great whisky - one of my alltime fav. OB ... is that possible or why did you do not make a review yet ? cheers !

[@PeatSmokey]

Hello Ralfy. just went back to an old friend HP12. There's this wonderful earthy mushroom note here. I can really understand that as I do the wild mushroom hunting thing myself. many yrs ago Dad taught me always to go to the '100+yo Oak Trees' and so now it all makes total sense. "Chicken of the woods" and "Hen of the woods"...an unforgettable flavour note (complete w/memories) Peace

[@BrothuhV84]

I have had a new bottle of HP 12 for a couple weeks now, (thoroughly enjoying it by the way), and I am picking up that banana aroma now. But it only seems to come through with certain glasses. If the glass isn't shaped a certain way it's harder to pick up those subtle hints of stewed bananas.

[@DemonmachinE]

That's unfortunate. Hopefully they will decide to restock in August. I've got about 1/3 of my bottle of 12 year left and I'm likely to finish it within a few weeks.

[@williamswhistlepipes]

Hello Ralfy I've got a bottle of the Scots Guards 350th anniversary whiskey it's made by Justerini and brooks ltd..James street London..I've had it about twenty years now should I drink it or is it worth keeping a hold of..all the best James

[@EdenSignal]

I've got 2 bottles of HP 12, one has the distiller managers signature, the other has a whiskey makers signature. There is slight differences to the cardboard tube packaging, and the lid have different designs also.

[@briand2507]

Agreed, the label and package tell you nothing, but this is great at any price, especially @ $39! It is 43% now (Dec 2013) and your review is right on for the profile. I was worried it was too cheap and would not be good, dead wrong, great value and very enjoyable.

[@quickclot1]

My overall favorite, got a bottle last night. A close second is Glenmorangie, also the 18 year is cheaper than the 18 glenmorangie, got to try some of that. I still got to try Old Pultney, I can't find it anywhere.

[@1keickhoff]

@SnojetSteve I live in Tucson, Arizona, and also just picked up an HP12 at 43%. It's amazing how a few drops of water releases a lot of smoke. Really good stuff, and for only $40, a tremendous value!

[@DemonmachinE]

Did the SAQ actually stop stocking it? I picked up the last bottle at the SAQ on Queen Mary about a month ago. I'd be really upset if they stopped stocking it, because it's absolutely amazing.

[@quickclot1]

I've nearly given up looking for an equal for the price. I got a bottle of scapa a few weeks ago, wasn't as good as HP, but very close to glenmorangie. I'd say scapa is like a mix between Glenwhinne and glenmorangie.

[@BourneAccident]

Ralfy, Great videos... I must say... I've been to your website... fantastic... You are helping me out very much...and I thank you for it...

[@maydanlex]

Hi Ralfy, thanks for the review of the 12 year old! I did hear what you said concerning the 18 yr.old Highland Park and do know about it's awards BUT here in Canada the 12 year old is about $50+ (Canadian dollars) cheaper. Is the 18 year old worth the extra cash? I'm simply looking for your opinion here. Fantastic 'stuff' you provide with all of your reviews btw.....both educational and entertaining!

[@custer534]

Hey Ralfy. Really appreciate your reviews. For someone who likes HP 12y/o, can you recommend some other single malts that have similar characteristics/taste?

[@ballzac314]

Wasn't sure where best to post this, as I have a kind of random question. Before I get to that, I have been an avid beer drinker for a while, and am just starting to get into whisky. I got a bottle of this HP12yo after seeing this review and I feel it's been a really pleasant introduction into the world of whisky. Anyhoo, my question is, do you feel that high quality single malts can be produced using less professional methods such as aging in glass on oak chips? Thanks for all these videos!

[@mu99ins]

I opened a bottle of H.P. 12 just the other evening. Phenolic in both drams. I was put off. I had same phenolic experience with Black Bottle. Phenolic at first tasting, but with B.B. the next evening it subsided into a pretty good drink. So, I braved ahead with H.P. 12 and tried it again the 2nd evening. No phenolic blast. Smoky, yes, but definitely different than the 1st evening. Any idea what is going on with that? Is this an experience unique to me, or is it typical at all?

[@brendanbarker2095]

this is great whiskey for someone new to single malts like myself, thanx for the help Ralfy

[@Unkempt27]

Hi Ralfy, My good lady wife will be buying me a bottle of whisky for my Birthday next month. I've had the 12yo Highland Park a few times and really enjoyed it, but don't have bottle at home. However, I've seen a special edition 20yo version for what seems like a reasonable price (less than £40). Have you tried it, or any other older HPs? Would you recommend going for what I know, or getting something a bit more 'special'? Many thanks

[@Bombsarenogood]

Hey Ralfy; thanks for all your great observations/knowledge for us wee sasanach's. Any plans to do a review of HP-Loki limited edition bottling? Keep em coming!

[@MartyPiters]

The first bottle of whisky i bought. I really like it. Any suggestions of wich whisky i should buy next?

[@shuboy05]

Apparently Highland Park 12 is bottled at 43% for North American markets. Glenmorangie 10, Macallan 12, and Teacher's are also bottled at 43% here. As far as I can tell it's an export thing.

[@MortAllachie]

Funny to watch these old videos.

[@RuizBR1990]

Hi Ralfy, What are your toughts on the Scapa 16yo? I think I will ask my brother to grab a bottle in DutyFree. At 38 dollars I believe it's a steal. Thanks.

[@gunterdak]

I come from a town in America called Highland Park! This is also the first Scotch whiskey I ever tasted. (while in Scotland, and also while I was too young to drink in the US) Did not know anything about whiskey back then, but it sure tasted good!

[@eddieb10071987]

I treated myself to a bottle of this, it was on offer for £26 which i thought was a bargain and needless to say my dad and I are thoroughly enjoying it. I have seen the 18y/o version for £70 and wonder whether it's worth a try?

[@thewhiskybothy]

18yo standard varies !

[@eddieb10071987]

Thanks for the response Ralfy

[@timothybullard9105]

one of my favorites -- CURRENT BOTTLING IS A VERY GOOD VALUE- still $30usd in Taiwan including tax!. I have one of the old style bottles also. Thanks for deterring me from opening it Ralfy-- BETTER I KEEP IT ON DISPLAY!

[@mowaby]

Just picked up some highland park from the super market. They didnt have it at any liquor stores close to me and it seems the super market i went to is about $10 cheaper than the liquor stores too. It also seems like HP is my favorite so far with JW black label so far. I still want to try green abel which they didnt have :-/

[@zarathustraq]

Hi Ralfy! What year did HP exactly discontinue the old bottle? I discovered one bottle of that old stuff behind the new bottles in my local supermarket. The thing is, in that shop all the malts are more expensive than anywhere else. Do you think it would be worth paying extra 10 € just to get that older bottling? Tara!

[@vigil12348]

Rich stuff. The peat on the nose is very gently integrated, the bouquet is so delicate, subtle. Noticed it changes significantly over five minutes and you have a whole different story. Find myself sniffing for 20 min, forgot to sip. The peat returns stronger at some point, same on the taste. Got something oldish and leathery too. No imposing sweetness, nor peat, no pepper- it has everything, turns it into something different. To enjoy on a fuller extent, one must give a dram at lest 40 minutes.

[@Delorian82]

Having a glass right, thanks for the great reviews Ralphy!

[@burningfuse63]

Caramel flavoring or color? I didn't think this whiskey had caramel coloring? I'm not an expert but from 8 years of whiskey drinking I give it a 95/100.

[@mrdubachery]

Thanks for the review! One question though, I picked up a bottle today, and it is listed on the label as 43%, but you mentioned yours was 40%. Any thoughts on this?

[@Henjo29]

I really enjoy this scotch! Notable after-tastes are cigar smoke, which really clings to my mind. I'm finding it difficult to really enjoy the peaty-medicinal taste with most malted whiskeys (Japanese, Scotch ect...), but to me this is the best place to start.

[@jinzoboy]

As always nice review. Would you recommend this to me to a person that disliked the jw green, but loves the fruity macallan 12.

[@davejss]

Hey Ralfy, I really enjoy your reviews! About the rating system, does anything rate 100\100?

[@schwarzblatt]

An all-time classic. Very well-balanced dram.

[@sonicology]

I find it funny to hear you talk about the "old shape" bottle because to me these are "new" and "newer" shape bottles; if you do a google image search for "highland park bicentenary" you will see the shape of bottle all the old Highland Parks used to come in, I believe they stopped using them because of difficulty in sourcing the cork for the large bottle neck which is a shame because to me it is still the quintessential HP bottle. Still have an unopened HP 12 in this style, must hold on to it!

[@callahan9119]

Wow, I've never tried anything but Canadian whiskey, I was scared off of Scotch. I got a sample bottle of this and holy crap, it is so good. I assume what I'm tasting is the peat, but whatever it is it's wonderful and it lingers. Don't know about all that stuff about heather and fruits, but damn this stuff is good. I don't think I'll be stuffing my nose in glasses any time soon, but is old pulteney similar to this? I might get into this scotch business, but that's the only single I can afford.

[@groovemedium]

I just paid $45 at a chain store in Mass. Maybe it's the particular store. Perhaps it would be cheaper if you ordered it online. It's very tasty for $45.

[@Shahakazaramesh]

@mikelyxs I'm a bit more of a beer drinker than scotch, but I've always been very sensitive to banana esters - to the point that I have trouble drinking German hefeweizen unless I'm really in the mood for a banana explosion...anyway, I find that if I let the HP 12 sit with a bit of water for about 30 minutes, some banana does start to come out, for me at least.

[@manusL]

I have. Probably not a bad cask but certainly rather half the "amount" of peat compared to the bottling I've tried last before this one.

[@Tylervrooman]

what would you give the older bottling? a different mark.? cuz i recently bought the old bottle (with the caramel) to see if there was a difference...

[@paulbirmingham5469]

I recently acquired a bottle of this and the only thing I could detect on the nose was pickled onion. Is this normal? Or is it a bad bottle? It tastes great though.

[@TheMrpunchy]

Hello Ralfy, Any idea when they switched over to the new bottles?

[@JohnnyH1982]

I just tried a HP 12 sample size and wow, I really need to get a bottle of this stuff. I really really enjoy it!

[@hypnoz123]

Just tried this for my first time. Delicious! Thanks Ralfy, I got exactly the same notes on the nose!

[@fox25web]

Hey Ralfy, Going to review HP 18? Excellent reviews by the way. You are a Mega Malt Master Cheers, FoX

[@vigil12348]

Hi Ralfy. What is your opinion on Douglas Laing Highland Park/ Bowmore double barrel vatting?

[@AlexM-iy8jd]

do you find that there is a taste difference between the old-style bottling and the newer bourbon-style bottling? i just came across an old bottling of the 18 y.o. and bought it without hesitation. i was thinking about buying a new bottle and tasting them side by side.

[@shuboy05]

Hey, you actually pronounced Bulleit correctly! I've been drinking Bulleit lately but I wasn't aware that it can be found in Scotland.

[@PeatSmokey]

Ralfy I was just watching that BBC documentary and wouldn't you know it Oak Casks are made from 95+yo Oak Trees!! Wow! there's the whole mushroom note/story right under our noses!! Have a good productive trip to Scotland and Be Safe. Peace

[@mjanovec]

Highland Park 12 was my first single malt after starting with JW Black. It was a nice way to transition into the single malts. Or as Ralfy said: "Yes!"

[@emmetgilgunn]

have you tried the HP 2001 international travlers edition? i cant find much reference to it online. my wife brought me back a 1lt btl I havent got a full evening to explore it yet but also have never tried the original perhaps i should pick up a btl to compare it to

[@chrish12345]

Ralfy I saw this quote from Jason Craig in 2009, who is Global Controller for Highand Park: "Highland Park is all natural colour, for a couple of years in the 1990’s our 12yo had some added but that is firmly in the past. Every bottle of Highland Park you now see (new shape glass) is naturally coloured and has had no spirit caramel added. "

[@evhvariac2]

Right after the arrival I taste a bit of "snow" I know this is strange but if you've ever eaten some snowball. But then cola finish. Very very odd but good.

[@SpaghettiNeggZ]

I find that if you wait five minutes after finishing the last drop of HP it leaves the most glorious scent in the glass.

[@eoiggj]

i have both bottles and they are very same. on nose hp12 is sweeter and more intense, palate is similar. aftertaste in hp1998 is more sour and hp12 smokier. i like very much both bottles.

[@omfgbbqsauce]

Hey Ralfy, in the 2012 whisky bible, Jim Murray mentions he was very disappointed with the last HP 12 he tasted, apparently bad casks. Have you come across bad HP 12 lately?

[@glytch5]

My HP 12 was in the bullet bottle, it's bottled at 43%however here in the US

[@Slacking02]

Watching in 2019

[@ignishun]

You should try Glenfiddich with a small amount of HP12. It was a different experience knowing that blending two whiskys like in one of your videos could make a big difference.

[@totalyruben]

Ralfy my dear chap hope your well, any chance you have reviewed any of the Dalmore i had a bottle for christmas and by god its good but i would love to hear your view on The Dalmore many thanks!

[@gripaholicz4197]

If a re-review comes up, any chance of increasing the banter by doing a side-by-side with a highland park cask strength as a sort of "extra elaboration/comparison" to the regular 12yo... would be interesting to hear your musings on that.

[@lildude74ua]

After watching this review i was just can't resist buying bottle for myself : ). Great scotch! Thank you!

[@degmar]

Ralfy - a liquor store here in Texas has an HP 12 Single Cask bottling that is labeled as being specifically bottled for the store. It has an alcohol content of 59.3% and is from cask 2820. Do you know anything about these types of bottlings, or HP 12 Single Cask in general?

[@mikelyxs]

Hey Ralfy, have you ever detected banana flavors and aromas in the HP12? I do, especially in the nose!

[@MagnusFender]

Hey Ralfy. Do you have any information on the "Highland Park 12 Bladnoch Forum" 50.5 %? I have found a bottle for around 40 pounds, and I was wondering if it would be any fun trying out. /Magnus

[@RobertUWL]

@ralfystuff great Ralfy - looking forward to this one !

[@justinlow1990]

hey ralfy, would you say that its worth trying out the other highland park whiskeys say the 18 year and 21 year??

[@596laroussi]

hi Ralfy Should I add water to highland park 12.