A worthy NEW Highland Park? | Highland Park 15 REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 7 апр 2024
- I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Highland Park distillery up on Orkney in the highlands today. This is the 15 year old. It's a pretty recent addition to the range. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
I've always felt HP was the Dalmore of the north. Aimed at a broad market rather than whisky nerds, and they also produce many travel retail bottles. Which makes sense given they're owned by the company that also owns Macallan.
I was lucky enough to get a Signatory HP Secret Orkney at 16 years old, and it knocks the 15 out of the park. I would always go IB for Highland Park
Absolutely. There are some truly epic HP IBs out there. Cheers! 🥃
I’ve got a 20 year old Old Particular (Laing bros.) Highland Park that I am saving for a special occasion. The independent releases are great!
LOL that "Bible" is a For Dummies book!
Also, I doubt Jesus would’ve said that about chill filtration…in an Old Testament book .
It's nice to know what bottles to buy, but it's even more important to know which not to buy. So thanks a lot! I was a little interested in the "Cask Orkney 18" from A. D. Rattray, but it slipped away. I will not be buying any official bottlings from HP until they get their act together.
I bought two years ago...first release...with a synthesis leather bag..and White bottle...For the combination..I gave it 86/100
We recently did a HP vertical with Viking Tribe, 10, 12, 15, 18 and Cask Strength. The winner was between 18 and CS with the NAS but 46%abv Viking Tribe coming in third. I really enjoy the 15 but amongst all these it felt the least HP of them all if that makes sense. Also I think the 12 is delisted now with the 10 replacing it. IB is the way to go for HP though, you're absolutely right. Cheers 🥃
Fort time I'm even hearing about the Viking Tribe. Not sold in my market, unfortunately. Agree that the 18 and CS get the top spots from the line though. Love both. Cheers buddy! 🥃
Glad to see that glass is fixed.. was really worried about that one.
Maybe if Highland Park spent more on the liquid rather than the ridiculous marketing I’d buy it again. Excellent review as usual.
One of the first whisky’s on my journey decades ago was an OB HP12 when their bottles were more of the dumpy style with a black label and a picture of the distillery at sunrise (if I remember properly). It was a fantastic dram by any measure…taste, presentation, value…and none of the Viking nonsense. Where oh where has that beautiful dram gone?
Terrific videos Geoff!! Thanks so much!!
Damn Christine you're too kind! Thank you so much! 🙏🙏🙏
Your sense of humour is so ironic. I like it. 👍
Hi Geoff! This was a terrific review of Highland Park 15. I haven't had it and I am likely going to pass with friends locally who aren't appreciating it as much as they hoped. I have heard thoughts right in line with your opinions on this HP expression. We all drink some expressions with flaws like chill filtering but I sure wish distilleries would stop using that practice. Annoying. Great thoughts and hugely appreciated! I gave me food for thought! As I complain about chill filtering I am sipping on a Lagavulin 16! Lol! Oh well! I really wanted a dram of this Lagavulin expression tonight! Hope you have a fabulous Thursday and I hope all is well on your end! Peace! Cheers! :-)
Hah yeah agree. Chill filtration is frustrating, but I still drink the whisky I want. Love the Laga 16 myself!
As for the HP, yeah I think it's best to save your money. I hear it's ridiculously overpriced in Canada (which so many things are), so I'm not convinced it offers much bang-for-buck. Cheers Christine! 🥃
Thanks for saving me the money on getting the 15, I'll just stick with the 12 as it is great to have with friends that aren't huge whiskey nerds but still enjoy a glass.
I found an interesting putty and doughy flavor when I tried this, similar to flavors from Ben Nevis and Benromach cask strength. Best version of HP I've tried, far better than the 12. However it was the ceramic bottle, so maybe there was some batch variation or change in recioe.
Great take on HP 15 Geoff. My experience is limited to a 12 which I never replaced once it was gone. I used the empty for an infinity bottle though. Cheers!
I gave the HP12 3.3./5 or about 81/100. At $50, I’d call it a touch overpriced but not enough to feel bad about buying another bottle. I’ve also tried mini’s of the HP Magnus (never should have bottled it), and 2 bottles of the HP CS release 2 (excellent stuff). Also have some HP18 minis I’ve yet to crack open.
Actually, I’m facing a decision. Maybe you can chime in: $100 for HP 17yr Full Volume. From what I can tell, this would be a pretty good gamble.
There’s a third distillery now. The Orkney Distillery just distilled their first batch of new make last month!
Had no idea! So many new distilleries popping up it's hard to keep track. Cheers. 🥃
😂 it's funny that you released this today. I actually have one coming ups today and in the regular glass bottle.
I didn't remember trying it but I did out of the white bottle. When I realized I did I thought hell am I getting a fake one.
Thanks!
No thank YOU, Nick. Truly appreciated. 🙏🙏🙏
That’s a shame, seems like it’s not worth the extra price over the 12. Thanks for the review, you’ve saved me a bit of 💰
Thanks for watching! 🥃
In the big box liquor store retailer by me they gave up on the Highland Park 15 year. It just wasn’t moving at $110 US. They dropped it down by 30% and it sold out and they haven’t gotten it back since.
Glad to see a new vid, gives me a chance to apologize for not expressing my concern for your wellbeing after Taiwan suffered an earthquake. Hope you and yours remain unscathed.
Hah all is well. Thanks for reaching out! Cheers! 🥃
You are very funny! Where can I get the Dark Heroes…..bottling😂. HP is off my radar for a very long time….since the Viking-crap.
In Canada/Québec it is CA $210.25 outrageous!
CA $209.95 in Ontario, and the basic 12 year old (at 43%) is CA $89.95. I wasn't particularly impressed by the 12 year old last time I tried, so definetely skipping the 15 for that price.
That's just ridiculous. Haaaaaaard pass! 🥃
Been holding off on this one simply due to the price. I love the bottles and going to glass actually makes me less likely to buy.
HP is my absolute favorite especially cask strength ones
Can honestly say the 12 is about as good as the 18 imo which is nice saving like 60% the price where i live
Thank you for saving me from buying this bottle👍👍👍 This is exactly what premium quality whisky channels are made for! A question: what do you find to be the best value HP OB at the moment?
Thanks for the kind words! As for best value... probably the CS.
Yeah, the CS takes so much water that you almost get two bottles for the price of one😂 But seriously speaking both releases I’ve had (1 and 3) have been excellent. Keep up the good work!
Afraid of watching every new video, i usually end up buying what you review. Skipping this one then, finally.
Howeveeeer… i saw a couple of IB highland parks online huh
Haha those IBs could be killers. 😉
Great bible 😅 I love new bottle look, I hate those ceramic bottle's. Thanks for review
Yeah the ceramic bottle seemed like a gimmick. Thanks for watching, buddy! 🥃
I've only had the 12 and thought it was OK. The whisky didn't live up to the fancy bottle. This was near the beginning of my whisky journey and at the time I also had the Glenfiddich 12 and Glenmorangie 10 which I thought were better, and slightly cheaper. Not sure how I would rate them now though as the HP 12 was the first whisky I had with some peat in it. I remember I did like it more near the end of the bottle. The HP 12 when I bought it was $70 NZD, now it is between $85-90. At that price there are far better offerings, so I am not likely to repurchase it. I've only seen the HP 15 in the white ceramic bottle here and the cheapest I've seen this is $150, but it generally retails between $170-185. The Signatory Unnamed Orkney is one I would like to try, and more reasonably priced. Cheers!
Your Scapa comment reminds me of a bit I love by Gary Gulman that he does about cookies. "What are you doing, Hydrox?"
I'm very impressed with the way the word "Leviticus" rolled off your tongue.....
Lost me at 44%. As always though, love your work mate.
Love a HP indi, but their OBs are just too disappointing. On a side note, would love to see a review of Kingsbarns Doocot if it's available in your market. Just got my first bottle from them and I'm impressed
There is a HP 15 out there that will knock your socks off. It’s a 2019 distillery bottling, single cask (585 bottles, 60.3% ABV) made in collaboration with Esquire. First fill American oak butt. It’s one of my all time top 10. Still some out there.
Hi @Gwhisky. Saying hello from Sweden. Love your reviews. I´m pretty new to whisky and your input really helps.
So glad to hear it! I appreciate the kind words. Cheers from Taiwan! 🥃
Thanks for reviewing this HP15, Geoff
Watching your review I doubt if I ever have tasted this ... and just as much I doubt I will. I'll stay with IB.
Slàinte mhath
Good review again Geoff. I quite like the HP's I've tried in the past even when I think I really shouldn't considering their low specs etc. Their prices tho is way too high for what you get so I tend to stay away from them in general. However, a couple of years ago, they did a special release called Twisted Tattoo, which still remains to this day one of the most stunning whiskies I've tried. I highly recommend you try and source a bottle/sample of this Geoff. I'd send you one myself, but by bottle was killed a long long time ago! Their annual cask strength releases are also extremely good
I had the Twisted Tattoo and really enjoyed it! Agree about the CS stuff too. They do make excellent whiskies despite having a very mixed-bag lineup. Cheers! 🥃
The highland park 12 has something weird about it….. kinda reminds me of Chinese spirits…. Just one part of the profile I don’t like - but the rest of it is lovely.
The Highland Park distillery tour was lacking compared to the Scapa tour
@Gwhisky I always enjoy your reviews. Mahalo! 🌊
Hah glad to hear it. Cheers! 🥃
E
it's unfortunate that HP has basically become a highland Macallan+Dalmore knockoff when it comes to high prices and over the top marketing. their juice is still great, an IB highland park i had recently was some of the best i ever tried
IBs are the way to go! 🥃
I enjoy forrest floor too Geoff. Do you prefer your forrest floor sashimi style or sautéed??
Sashimi, as nature intended. 🥃
Good review. Would you rate the cask strength over this? Or look for an indie bottle instead? Have seen batch 3 at £60 and batch 4 at about £80.
go for it. HP CS's are fantastic stuff. I bought batch3 for £50 at sale. Had batch 2 before and loved it. So flavourfull robust powerfull whisky with drops of water specially down the bottle neck is fantastic whisky. Batch 3 is most peated so far if you like HP peat. Its bit harsh, 64% but you can play with water and you love it 👌🥂🙋🏻♂️
Hmm. I thought it was the other way around with the 15 year. It was in the glass bottles at first like the Highland Park 12 year. Then it went to the ceramic white bottles.
There was an old 15 pre-rebranding years and years ago. But here in Taiwan it was the white ceramic bottle that (re)introduced it to the line. Maybe that wasn't everywhere? 🥃
I got one with the ceramic bottle for 59€ in Holland. For that price I think it's worth it. Just needs a splash of water to open up. Heather honey smoke more than anything else. Cheers!
Can´t get the 15 in Norway at the moment, but I have the 12 and Dragon Legend. It’s probably me, but I was disappointed with both. I tasted a sample of HP 25 and that one was amazing. I have also had a Vintage one that was totally fine, but the 30 at 40% also was a disappointment. Both the 25 and 1997 Vintage was 50% + ABV (Not sure if it was independent, standard, special or old releases). To me it seems like HP is best at higher ABV (like all brands when I think about it hehe). Nice review as always 😊
Yeah they definitely have a lot of disappointing abvs. Easily my biggest complaint about the brand. Shame, as I love the profile. Cheers! 🥃
It’s currently over 100USD here in the Boston MA area
There are a lot better options for that price point
I'd pass on it. 🥃
@@Gwhisky 100%...Do you think the 18 year is worth $150?
@@marks291 Yes, actually. Love it. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Excellent thanks, the Duchess of Islay does as well. :) It's on my shortlist.
Thanks for the review. I'll give this one a miss I think.
Here in Canada the 12 is around $85 the 15 is $209. Way too steep for 3 years.
Absurd.
It may be fit for a warrior, but it's no prune juice.
I see your glass is intact now. Did you repair it, or get a new one?
The glass is find if I heat up the glue and place the glass into it, so it's fine for now. I just gotta keep it out of the washing machine and it'll be fine.
Worf. Nice. 😉🥃
Hi Geoff ! I think HP quality is down ((((
I still like them but they do try to get away with a lot of weak whiskies. Too bad...
Cheers, my friend! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Cheers )
I remember liking Scapa like maybe 20 years ago. Then it vanished from the market, and then reappeared but only as a mysterious overpriced NAS. What ARE they doing??
That verse from Leviticus wasn't chosen at random, was it?
You give me too much credit... 😂🥃
I miss "Dark Origins" so much... :(((((
Me too! 🥃
From experience I doubt it would be natural colour.
I believe HP is always natural colour. 🥃
Too expensive. Totally not worth it. At that price, I rather get Glenfarclas 15
Agree. 🥃
That's one of the most overrated whisky brands in my humble opinion. You can buy far better whiskies for this money. I'm talking about the 10, 12 and 15 at least.