Found this whisky at my local liqour store. They had had this bottle, amongst other great malts, for about 4 years and it was not selling. Nobody, actually, was buying any of the more premium whiskies. Eventually the one weekend they sold ALL of their ''elite'' malts at ridiculously cheap prices. I managed to buy this for R800 (South African Rand) which is about 30 Pounds. Unbelievable. Also bought a Bunnahabhain 12 for 14 pounds. Best day of my life 😂I will probably never see a special like that again!
Wow,thats cheap,Iam in the United States and that bottle would be over a hundred dollars,but everyone overcharges us here in the United States,everybody thinks our cash grows on trees here HAHA.
Wow! Two years ago my son gave me both a bottle of the 12 & 18 year old HP, for Christmas which I didn’t know were so rare. I will savor these beauties even more slowly than before. I love HP!!
Hi Horst, visited the distillery in May '17 and took the so called "Viking Hero" tour. The guide told us that they malt ~20% of their barley themselves. This barley is mostly used for their higher priced bottles, though.
I had it side by side with the Glenlivet 18. Not a good thing in hindsight. I had the Glenlivet before and it was outstanding, but side by side I'd give the edge to the Highland Park 18. It had just that something extra.
This is a good review,I have a bottle of Highland Park 18 year sitting here at home and I bought it about 2 years ago however I found another one at a store recently so I might purchase it and open the one that's been sitting here for a few years and you're right they are not easy to find,unfortunately your review is a bit old and the price is a bit higher now.
Kudos Horst; always appreciate & respect your detailed drink analysis...comments on this bottling; not the new Viking Pride (of which, based on my recent assessment of the HP Viking Honour 12, I'll just skip)....Gorgeous...beautiful sherry perfume....light heather peat, honey, orange compote, some tropical notes, trace of vanilla, a reductive quality, creamy toffee...long, intense, complex, rounded finish...as you said, a wonderful dram...fun tasting this next to the old HP 12 yr which is great on it's own...this is definitely climbing the ladder...my score: 94/100...🍸
Tony - agree with you. The 18 is wonderfully rounded and smooth but the 12 has a bit more bite and energy with most of the same notes. And at a third of the price. The compromise from a price/value standpoint is the 15 year but I haven’t seen it in my local liquor store for a while now.
Unfortunately for some of us in the world if you want to partake in wonderful dram you're going to have to let the moths fly out of your wallet. Whether you believe it to be worth no more than $100 this doesn't go for less than $180 BEFORE taxes in my province! I understand their are less expensive alternatives on the market but for the sake of taste transparency I'd still love to give this a try ;) You always do a remarkable job on your reviews Horst! The power of persuasion is strong in you especially after seeing the episode on Bowmore 18!
FUBAR ! debating on getting this HP 18 or go for my first Glenlivet with the 18 years of age too... i am also in New-Brunswick your comment got my attention as if you tried both of the 2 i am aiming at, which one did you like better?
If money isn't a concern the HP 18 is better and harder to find and the Glenlivet 18 is readily available. I'm in Riverview and was thinking of picking up a bottle of HP 18 for Xmas.....tight lines Paul.
Highland Park 18 has been cutting the amount of bottling entering the market since 2013. In - 2013 worldwide 130,000 bottles, 2014 worldwide 65,000 bottles, 2015 worldwide 46,000 bottles*, 2016 ? Their running out of mature whisky stock, like a lot of other distilleries. Bunnahabhain I know their having stock problems.
+Resident evil Their incentives to invest and expand production is low. Why invest when you can just pocket a hefty profit that is rising exactly because they don't expand production ? Eventually, the whisky fad will fade with the demand destruction they are bringing upon themselves.
Your brain is fooling you Horst. HP 18 is an amazingly balanced dram. That said I agree that the prices are sky rocketing. All whiskies in the 18 YO class are not worth more than 100. The last case of HP 18 I bought was $80 per bottle.
+Ryan Sherry Holy shit really? Just go over to the US, buy some there, and don't tell the guards about it when you bring it back, or better yet, get a nexus, and then say you bought a bottle of wine, they never care.
+CockatooDude I'd totally do that but have you seen the exchange rate between Canada and the United States recently? It was slipping below 70 cents a few short weeks ago!
Yeah, hugely over priced now here in Finland. Used to be 99€ that was near my pain limit. Now it's 129€ and I as a knowledgeable consumer changed my consuming habits by going to Sweden to get my HP18yo for 799 kronor which is about 84€ by today's exchange rate. Sweden is so important market for Highland Park that not only they keep prices down for them but they actually produce these special high strength bottlings for Sweden only.
If you can get your hands on this version of HP 18 grab it! The new renamed HP 18 Viking pride is shite compared to this. HP should stick to making amazing whisky, instead of coming up with silly names for their drams.
100% agree w/out tasting the "Viking Pride" (and won't)...tried this bottling a few months back...awesome...lookin' for another...C'mon HP, let's get back to the garden...
On this one factor to consider: Is your palate going to expect or desire: Sweetness and Smoke? If so, HP might be the better choice. But otherwise it is difficult to advise. The Mac is excellent for on different notes ... if you crave elegant deep sherry notes, well...
I have the 12, 18 and 21 year. The 12 is good for the price. The 18 is ok and overrated and overpriced. The 21 is really good if you can find it. I just tried the 25 yr in Scotland a few days ago and was not impressed. Save your money and buy the 21 yr from the UK.
Absolutely. This whisky has everything. This and The Glenlivet 18 are the best whiskys that I've tasted. I'll have to try them side by side at the one liquor store that 'sells' samples of both.
+VoidedTea Yep. I was surprised to see Scotch was a lot cheaper in Alberta compared to BC. However, a lot of vodka I like were more expansive in Alberta. Has to be with taxes.
"Yes.. I will definitely empty the glass" horst the boss
Found this whisky at my local liqour store. They had had this bottle, amongst other great malts, for about 4 years and it was not selling. Nobody, actually, was buying any of the more premium whiskies. Eventually the one weekend they sold ALL of their ''elite'' malts at ridiculously cheap prices. I managed to buy this for R800 (South African Rand) which is about 30 Pounds. Unbelievable. Also bought a Bunnahabhain 12 for 14 pounds. Best day of my life 😂I will probably never see a special like that again!
wow - lucky you!
Wow,thats cheap,Iam in the United States and that bottle would be over a hundred dollars,but everyone overcharges us here in the United States,everybody thinks our cash grows on trees here HAHA.
Wow! Two years ago my son gave me both a bottle of the 12 & 18 year old HP, for Christmas which I didn’t know were so rare. I will savor these beauties even more slowly than before. I love HP!!
What did u find more sweet the 12 year old or the 18 year old?
@@Kylehdez I think the 12 has the sweeter palate, but the 18 is just so damn nice and complex.
2 years and you still had some left? Mine was gone in 2 weeks 😂
Just bought this recently and loving it!! Oily is a very appropriate word for the mouth feel on this one...can savor the flavors forever!
$250 a 700ml bottle in NZ 2018 (if you can get it) - This is the most divine Whiskey Ive ever tasted
Paul $199.00 here in Toronto November 2019. Will buy later this week...
Hi Horst,
visited the distillery in May '17 and took the so called "Viking Hero" tour. The guide told us that they malt ~20% of their barley themselves. This barley is mostly used for their higher priced bottles, though.
The 18 is my favorite of the HP brand. They all have great depth in their flavors and are truly unique!
Couldn't agree more! 12 and 18 are my favorites!
I had it side by side with the Glenlivet 18. Not a good thing in hindsight. I had the Glenlivet before and it was outstanding, but side by side I'd give the edge to the Highland Park 18. It had just that something extra.
Wow the price difference is pretty extreme. I think the HP 12 will have to due.
This is a good review,I have a bottle of Highland Park 18 year sitting here at home and I bought it about 2 years ago however I found another one at a store recently so I might purchase it and open the one that's been sitting here for a few years and you're right they are not easy to find,unfortunately your review is a bit old and the price is a bit higher now.
Kudos Horst; always appreciate & respect your detailed drink analysis...comments on this bottling; not the new Viking Pride (of which, based on my recent assessment of the HP Viking Honour 12, I'll just skip)....Gorgeous...beautiful sherry perfume....light heather peat, honey, orange compote, some tropical notes, trace of vanilla, a reductive quality, creamy toffee...long, intense, complex, rounded finish...as you said, a wonderful dram...fun tasting this next to the old HP 12 yr which is great on it's own...this is definitely climbing the ladder...my score: 94/100...🍸
Well, as of 2019, you cannot get this for less than $100 US in the California Bay Area: Bevmo $155, Totalwine $129, K&LWines $119.
It's better than Johnny Walker Blue and for that reason I'm willing to pay the price. Many also prefer it over Macallan 18.
Yup...and i think the old (forget the "Viking Honour") HP 12 yr kicks Blue's butt as well for a 1/3 of the price....
Good dram but at 105€ over here by now...no way, it was 70€ before and that might be just acceptable to me.
I prefer the HP12, it's more assertive and brash. 18 is "stickier" and richer tasting but is muted
Tony - agree with you. The 18 is wonderfully rounded and smooth but the 12 has a bit more bite and energy with most of the same notes. And at a third of the price. The compromise from a price/value standpoint is the 15 year but I haven’t seen it in my local liquor store for a while now.
Boy. The price of HP 18 sure has sky-rocketed. :-/
I love it, but not sure I'm willing to pay the premium.
Poor people shouldnt bother drinking whisky.
Unfortunately for some of us in the world if you want to partake in wonderful dram you're going to have to let the moths fly out of your wallet. Whether you believe it to be worth no more than $100 this doesn't go for less than $180 BEFORE taxes in my province! I understand their are less expensive alternatives on the market but for the sake of taste transparency I'd still love to give this a try ;)
You always do a remarkable job on your reviews Horst! The power of persuasion is strong in you especially after seeing the episode on Bowmore 18!
$150 in New Brunswick.
FUBAR ! debating on getting this HP 18 or go for my first Glenlivet with the 18 years of age too... i am also in New-Brunswick your comment got my attention as if you tried both of the 2 i am aiming at, which one did you like better?
If money isn't a concern the HP 18 is better and harder to find and the Glenlivet 18 is readily available. I'm in Riverview and was thinking of picking up a bottle of HP 18 for Xmas.....tight lines Paul.
2024 price update from Canada:
12 Year- $90
18 Year- $400
25 Year- $2500
😭😭😭😭😭
Полностью согласен !
Божественный вкус и аромат !
Привет из Казахстана !
great review Horst, it is a wonderful drop.
Highland Park 18 has been cutting the amount of bottling entering the market since 2013.
In - 2013 worldwide 130,000 bottles,
2014 worldwide 65,000 bottles,
2015 worldwide 46,000 bottles*,
2016 ?
Their running out of mature whisky stock, like a lot of other distilleries. Bunnahabhain I know their having stock problems.
+Resident evil Too many people in the world.
+Resident evil
Their incentives to invest and expand production is low. Why invest when you can just pocket a hefty profit that is rising exactly because they don't expand production ? Eventually, the whisky fad will fade with the demand destruction they are bringing upon themselves.
Actually, the distillery was not founded in 1798 but legalized ;-)
Your brain is fooling you Horst. HP 18 is an amazingly balanced dram. That said I agree that the prices are sky rocketing. All whiskies in the 18 YO class are not worth more than 100. The last case of HP 18 I bought was $80 per bottle.
+cato cato HP 18 is $179.99 before taxes in BC, Canada :(
+Ryan Sherry Holy shit really? Just go over to the US, buy some there, and don't tell the guards about it when you bring it back, or better yet, get a nexus, and then say you bought a bottle of wine, they never care.
+CockatooDude I'd totally do that but have you seen the exchange rate between Canada and the United States recently? It was slipping below 70 cents a few short weeks ago!
Ryan Sherry Oh right, forgot about that, I moved from Canada when the exchange rate was higher.
I agree with your pricing. They keep this price hike and bottles will sit on the shelf.
This bottle costs $205 +tax here in Canada
21 for $285 much better.
Mooie uitleg van de meester.
Yeah, hugely over priced now here in Finland. Used to be 99€ that was near my pain limit. Now it's 129€ and I as a knowledgeable consumer changed my consuming habits by going to Sweden to get my HP18yo for 799 kronor which is about 84€ by today's exchange rate. Sweden is so important market for Highland Park that not only they keep prices down for them but they actually produce these special high strength bottlings for Sweden only.
If you can get your hands on this version of HP 18 grab it! The new renamed HP 18 Viking pride is shite compared to this. HP should stick to making amazing whisky, instead of coming up with silly names for their drams.
The bottle is the only difference?
100% agree w/out tasting the "Viking Pride" (and won't)...tried this bottling a few months back...awesome...lookin' for another...C'mon HP, let's get back to the garden...
Should i get a highland park 18 or a macallan 18?
On this one factor to consider: Is your palate going to expect or desire: Sweetness and Smoke? If so, HP might be the better choice. But otherwise it is difficult to advise. The Mac is excellent for on different notes ... if you crave elegant deep sherry notes, well...
in us, around 100.
haha hooba booba Thanks Horst I'm still laughing at that 😄
HP is good but not great. When a bottle becomes overpriced, its time to find a different expression. There are many to choose from.
I mean that is true for everything, it's good until it's overpriced.
The 12 year is really good. Little pricey but I always have a bottle on hand.
I have the 12, 18 and 21 year. The 12 is good for the price. The 18 is ok and overrated and overpriced. The 21 is really good if you can find it. I just tried the 25 yr in Scotland a few days ago and was not impressed. Save your money and buy the 21 yr from the UK.
Agree! We always have a bottle on hand.
Top class
Absolutely. This whisky has everything. This and The Glenlivet 18 are the best whiskys that I've tasted. I'll have to try them side by side at the one liquor store that 'sells' samples of both.
It's physically impossible to pour a smaller dram. I'd be surprised if you can really nose and taste such a puny amount.
HP12 is 80$ Canadian here and the 18 is 200$. I'll pass. The price for the 18 represents a fad, just like Balvenie 12's price is too.
$50 and $150 respectively here in Alberta. Are other provinces collecting much higher taxes or what?
I would assume so. I think LCBO has similar prices to SAQ.
+VoidedTea Yep. I was surprised to see Scotch was a lot cheaper in Alberta compared to BC. However, a lot of vodka I like were more expansive in Alberta. Has to be with taxes.
Sometimes it's not so much tax policy issue than local demand. I got Bowmore 18 for 147$ which I think is fair price for that quality.
and i was thinking Sweden is very expensive..
$130.00 way too much
Move your microphone!! Nobody wants to hear your swish!! Sounds fulkin horrid!!!
I think it's time for you to find your bed