As a bourbon drinker, the peat was up front and then some for me. A second pour and a tiny bit of water brought out lots of other flavors...l'm looking forward to getting deeper into this bottle and other scotches.
I have the Batch No2 and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It has a lot going on and takes water very well. The sweet spot is about 50% ABV but I love it straight up as well.
Nice review! A Sherry I’d recommend for Scotch drinkers is Lustua East Indian Solera. Its a mix of Oloroso and PX with a decent age. You can really pick out the nutty and dry notes from the Oloroso and the fruit from the PX.
As a whiskey medium shit I must say this sounds great. I never had a problem with chill filtering or coloring. I just want to enjoy what's in the glass. HP has always done that for me. So I'm definitely gonna try to get my hands on a bottle of one of these. Slainte dummies.
i can't think of a regular release with sherry and peat, only special editions. Laphroaig's new 10 year sherry cask is pretty good but more peat and more sherry! a great combination.
Agree on the no colouring and chill filter statements. The practice should just go away instead of increasing imo. It’s a great scotch and well worth it! Both batches are great! I for one appreciate the comparison and disclosure that it was sent to u. Edit - I just sampled both of mine. Sounds like y’all have a much bigger difference between batches than I am getting.
Highland Park lost their way for awhile, where they were focusing on quantity (so many variants) vs quality of releases. Recently they’ve had a couple of great releases, like the Full Volume 47.2% release, which is a really different direction for them & have a bottle of Highland Park Dark 17yo 52.9% put aside to open on a special occasion, only heard great things on this one, so looking forward to opening it.
Interesting review! I also really enjoyed batch 1 and I’m looking forward to trying batch 2 once it hits the Minneapolis market. FYI, Highland Park doesn’t color their whisky. They’re also owned my the Edrington Group who owns Macallan, which also never colors their whisky although both are notorious for lower proofs and chill filtration for their core range. That’s what makes this a must try since we’re getting a non-chill filtered Cask Strength offering. Now if only Macallan would give us a Cask Strength offering. Slainte!
I just picked up a bottle of batch 2 at Haskell’s in White Bear Lake, MN! Looking forward to trying it. Their website states this one is not colored and is also un-chill-filtered!
Is there anything Cask strength that isn't good, or better than the original? I've been looking for the Laphroaig 10 Cask strength ever since Erik said it was his favorite Islay, but have never seen it.
I probably would not be able to identify the Cask Strength HP in a blind tasting. BTW, Adelphi'S Burnside (1999 bottled in 2020 at 59.1%) is a fantastic independent bottling of Highland Park.
I brought an Ardbeg to a party and someone asked whats that? I said a whisky. They said Oh you like that dark liquor. I pour it. They said WhAT?!?! Thats not dark!!!!😸😸😸😸😸
Caramel colorant is the one thing that HP is known to use. Call me a snob, but I avoid whiskeys that use colorant (I still love you, Laphroaig). Wish they put the statement of no caramel coloring on the bottle. But, I might give this a shot.
Heeeyy Theeree!!! I would like to start a conversation for us whisky lovers in general. I put this question to Ralfy and, as I also respect and enjoy your reviews and knowledge, I would also like your take on it. It is about integrity bottlings age statements and NAS. I have just 'discovered' the Kavalan Solist range from Taiwan. While this range doesn't display an age number, the code on the front of the label clearly states the type of cask S-sherry etc, the year, month and day the spirit was casked. On the back it states the year, month, day and even time it was bottled. It also states non chill filtered and natural colour. To me this is more of an 'integrity bottling' than a typical scotch malt with a number slapped on the front, yet Kavalan is branded a NAS. Kavalan Solist isn't cheap here in South Africa but it is superb whisky without a doubt. Is it not time we recognised there are other ways to display an age statement which offer more information and are more intriguing than just slapping a number on the front? Or are we stuck in the past, tradition over the new. I feel all the information is on the label/bottle, the complete provenance, then it cannot, should not be labelled a NAS? As it comes from a different part of the world than the Western hemisphere, why should we not acknowledge a different way of stating the age as it is all there on the label and bottle? The world of whisky is changing so should not our attitudes change with it?
We encourage as much information as possible. That way those who want it can get it. The way Compass Box does it online is very good. Label laws are convoluted and difficult to change due to bureaucracy. I love how the internet just steps around that. Encourage your favorite distillery or independent bottler to follow there lead.
HP cask strength whisky is just much more of a great thing. I’ve got a few of the 12 YO at cask strength. Yup 90 plus for sure. Setting aside all their stupid overpriced collector releases HP remains one of my top 5 favorite distilleries.
@@ScotchTestDummies special single cask bottlings a few years ago for a California retailer I buy from called K&L Wines. I think Binney’s did something similar around the same time.
I have talked about this with you guys before but I will say it again. I do not like when you review samples or full bottles that are sent to you guys from the distillary. The reason why is simple they could send you a beefed up sample that the general public does not get that blend. Ralfy has talked about this many times, it does happen.
$40?? Wow! I coughed up $62 for a pre-Viking 12 last year cause it was only $7 more than the current 12. At $40 I might even drink the 43%. I see DT Dimensions with age statements that cost more than the official bottles but the ABV is higher and natural etc. They tend to be bourbon matured so this CS at even $100 is a real temptation.
The 2nd version for me is bliss, Spicy european oak, plenty sherry, a whiff of smoke. Incroyable. If you guys like this, try getting your hands on an old bottle of famous grouse 18 blended malt. Trust me, if you havent had this already this is something else (yes i know, famous grouse, blended malt...just trust me. Its a blend of Macallan, Highland Park and Glenrothes :)
As a bourbon drinker, the peat was up front and then some for me. A second pour and a tiny bit of water brought out lots of other flavors...l'm looking forward to getting deeper into this bottle and other scotches.
You are a smart man Nick
I’ll add water cause of u. Thanks! I’m a bourbon drinker. This was my first scotch purchased as well.
Just picked up release #2… glad to hear you like it. 👊
did you like #1?
@@ScotchTestDummies didn’t try it 🤭
I love the cork detail too!
The way it tightens down is satisfying
I have the Batch No2 and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It has a lot going on and takes water very well. The sweet spot is about 50% ABV but I love it straight up as well.
excellent, we need to pick up a batch 2 when we see it.
I have both batches of this open in my stash. I love it. Its now my goto Highland Park.
very nice, thanks Dan.
Nice review! A Sherry I’d recommend for Scotch drinkers is Lustua East Indian Solera. Its a mix of Oloroso and PX with a decent age. You can really pick out the nutty and dry notes from the Oloroso and the fruit from the PX.
Thanks Steven O
Thanks guys! Completely agree on cranking that abv on the core range to 46%. Got a sample of this I’m looking forward to try. Cheers! 🥃
Good stuff! thanks Explorer.
As a whiskey medium shit I must say this sounds great. I never had a problem with chill filtering or coloring. I just want to enjoy what's in the glass. HP has always done that for me. So I'm definitely gonna try to get my hands on a bottle of one of these. Slainte dummies.
thanks Plague King!
Had this last night, enjoyed it very much. For those who like scotch on the rocks, it takes to ice really well
i bet it would, thanks Kevin!
Damn! HP 12 is my daily go-to, and I never noticed the twist seal thing on the cork until now.
Easter Egg
HP 12 is one of my favs! Will have to try this one. What’s your go to for sherry finish with a bit more peat?
i can't think of a regular release with sherry and peat, only special editions. Laphroaig's new 10 year sherry cask is pretty good but more peat and more sherry! a great combination.
Ardbeg Uighdail is a great peated/Sherry.
@@steveno7058 Nice, I will look,for that one! Ty
Kilchoman Sanaig is fantastic and affordable @ $67!
Agree on the no colouring and chill filter statements. The practice should just go away instead of increasing imo. It’s a great scotch and well worth it! Both batches are great! I for one appreciate the comparison and disclosure that it was sent to u.
Edit - I just sampled both of mine. Sounds like y’all have a much bigger difference between batches than I am getting.
It is good
just saw this in store and wondered if it was worth it. also seen the 18yr as well for a bit more$
this is definitely worth it
Highland Park lost their way for awhile, where they were focusing on quantity (so many variants) vs quality of releases. Recently they’ve had a couple of great releases, like the Full Volume 47.2% release, which is a really different direction for them & have a bottle of Highland Park Dark 17yo 52.9% put aside to open on a special occasion, only heard great things on this one, so looking forward to opening it.
never had the full volume but have had the Dark and love it.
Just got Batch No. 2. So does anyone else have little white floaties in their bottle? is it safe to drink?
No floaters here
Interesting review! I also really enjoyed batch 1 and I’m looking forward to trying batch 2 once it hits the Minneapolis market. FYI, Highland Park doesn’t color their whisky. They’re also owned my the Edrington Group who owns Macallan, which also never colors their whisky although both are notorious for lower proofs and chill filtration for their core range. That’s what makes this a must try since we’re getting a non-chill filtered Cask Strength offering. Now if only Macallan would give us a Cask Strength offering. Slainte!
very nice, thanks Malty Alty!
I just picked up a bottle of batch 2 at Haskell’s in White Bear Lake, MN! Looking forward to trying it. Their website states this one is not colored and is also un-chill-filtered!
Is there anything Cask strength that isn't good, or better than the original? I've been looking for the Laphroaig 10 Cask strength ever since Erik said it was his favorite Islay, but have never seen it.
Laphroaig 10 cask strength is a beast.
Batch 13 Laph10 CS is on the shelf in NY
I like you guys. New subscriber.
Sweet!
Cask Strength is the Best Strength! Can’t wait for the Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength.
Now you’re just talking dirty
I probably would not be able to identify the Cask Strength HP in a blind tasting. BTW, Adelphi'S Burnside (1999 bottled in 2020 at 59.1%) is a fantastic independent bottling of Highland Park.
very nice, thanks Alan.
Sounds Great.
Boom
I think I remember reading that they do not color at all but the core range is chill filtered….. but that was several years ago
that could be. thanks Jayson
Release #3 is even better.
It twists and seals??? LOL how did I never notice this lol!
super secret sh#t!
Nice job boys great video!!!
Thanks Hardy
ORKNEY BABY!
great area!
The bang for ur buck ! Is kick Ass!!
exactly!
I brought an Ardbeg to a party and someone asked whats that? I said a whisky. They said Oh you like that dark liquor. I pour it. They said WhAT?!?! Thats not dark!!!!😸😸😸😸😸
Lol. Love it
Caramel colorant is the one thing that HP is known to use. Call me a snob, but I avoid whiskeys that use colorant (I still love you, Laphroaig). Wish they put the statement of no caramel coloring on the bottle. But, I might give this a shot.
Definitely give it a taste
Heeeyy Theeree!!! I would like to start a conversation for us whisky lovers in general. I put this question to Ralfy and, as I also respect and enjoy your reviews and knowledge, I would also like your take on it. It is about integrity bottlings age statements and NAS. I have just 'discovered' the Kavalan Solist range from Taiwan. While this range doesn't display an age number, the code on the front of the label clearly states the type of cask S-sherry etc, the year, month and day the spirit was casked. On the back it states the year, month, day and even time it was bottled. It also states non chill filtered and natural colour. To me this is more of an 'integrity bottling' than a typical scotch malt with a number slapped on the front, yet Kavalan is branded a NAS. Kavalan Solist isn't cheap here in South Africa but it is superb whisky without a doubt. Is it not time we recognised there are other ways to display an age statement which offer more information and are more intriguing than just slapping a number on the front? Or are we stuck in the past, tradition over the new. I feel all the information is on the label/bottle, the complete provenance, then it cannot, should not be labelled a NAS? As it comes from a different part of the world than the Western hemisphere, why should we not acknowledge a different way of stating the age as it is all there on the label and bottle? The world of whisky is changing so should not our attitudes change with it?
We encourage as much information as possible. That way those who want it can get it. The way Compass Box does it online is very good. Label laws are convoluted and difficult to change due to bureaucracy. I love how the internet just steps around that. Encourage your favorite distillery or independent bottler to follow there lead.
HP cask strength whisky is just much more of a great thing. I’ve got a few of the 12 YO at cask strength. Yup 90 plus for sure. Setting aside all their stupid overpriced collector releases HP remains one of my top 5 favorite distilleries.
nice Cato, when was the 12 year Cask Strength a thing?
@@ScotchTestDummies special single cask bottlings a few years ago for a California retailer I buy from called K&L Wines. I think Binney’s did something similar around the same time.
This 1 sounds VERY complex, Dummies and, I'm all over this btl. if that's an accurate take on it? What say you 🤔❤
definitely accurate!
WHISKEY CHEERS 😎😎😎😎
same to you!
Good job B.O.B. Beatles of Booze - the best there is
thats why you're our favorite Jay.
Whisky New Sh*ts!!
haha
I have talked about this with you guys before but I will say it again. I do not like when you review samples or full bottles that are sent to you guys from the distillary. The reason why is simple they could send you a beefed up sample that the general public does not get that blend. Ralfy has talked about this many times, it does happen.
thats why we don't review sample bottles, and picked up the full size bottle on our own. Will need to look for Batch 2 when it arrives.
@@ScotchTestDummies It is pretty great that you guys made that change. Thank you.
For an NAS at Cask Strength and the fact that the 12 year is only about $40US this is way over priced. I'm sure it is tasty though.
thanks Watchman999!
$40?? Wow! I coughed up $62 for a pre-Viking 12 last year cause it was only $7 more than the current 12. At $40 I might even drink the 43%. I see DT Dimensions with age statements that cost more than the official bottles but the ABV is higher and natural etc. They tend to be bourbon matured so this CS at even $100 is a real temptation.
The 2nd version for me is bliss,
Spicy european oak, plenty sherry, a whiff of smoke. Incroyable.
If you guys like this, try getting your hands on an old bottle of famous grouse 18 blended malt. Trust me, if you havent had this already this is something else (yes i know, famous grouse, blended malt...just trust me. Its a blend of Macallan, Highland Park and Glenrothes :)
Will do. Thanks Zap
Synonyms......Initiates = New Shits
sounds close!