Never tried the 21 yo, but 5 years ago the 18yo was the first HP bottle I'd ever owned and at the time it was the best scotch I'd ever had. Since then I've had older and better single malts, including a 28yo Laphroaig and a 22 yo cask strength independent bottling of HP, both of which were exceptional. Never considered myself a HP fan boy, but they do make some truly outstanding whisky.
Thanks for spreading the love Alan. Sharing is what it's all about! Completely agree about the marketing. I am not a tattoo and viking kind of guy. Despite that, I enjoy HP and often recommend it to friends who want an intro to scotch. I find the balance of grain, peat and sherry offers sufficient flavors to start a conversation about what people like and do not like. I haven't tried the 21 but do like the cask proof. The screw/push cork topper is pretty cool. "Sophisticated Highland Park" is my new favorite oxymoron 😂
Absolutely a great introduction to scotch. Sherry, peat, florals, malt... HP has it all! The CS is great stuff, too. I'll be reviewing the batch 3 sometime soon. Hah they do have some "sophisticated" stuff out there, but they're usually the older IBs... 🥃
for reference, i own over 500 bottles from almost every distillery including 15 different expressions of HP. I agree HP 21 is very very good. I also agree it’s not the boldest expression of theirs. imo, the Odin is better being bolder and higher abv. If you ever come to LA, I’d love to treat you to a pour of this Bevmo single cask #770 from 2019. I believe it’s the greatest expression of HP ever made. Too bad there’s only a few hundred bottles!
Very kind gesture, Ross. Your Bevmo single cask sounds absolutely incredible! Yeah I've had some killer IBs and single casks from HP myself. They're usually more interesting than the OBs. I've no doubt that Odin is great. Pricey, though. Cheers buddy!
I was gifted a bottle of the August 2019 release (I think, given what you said about casks, yours might be the November one) as a 'thank you' for editing a magazine for The Tolkien Society for just over 20 years and I agree with pretty much everything you said. (Of course, our histories with low proof, older bottles are not quite the same...)
Tolkien Society magazine, eh? A fellow nerd... nice (although I'm more of a Trek nerd than a LotR nerd)! Very cool, and a great gift from them. Cheers Andrew! 🥃
@@Gwhisky There are back issues and (at least in most cases) online PDFs, if you ever feel like diving into another rabbit hole - I edited "Amon Hen" Issue 161 to Issue 282...
It's impossible for us separate the price from the equation and so the higher the price, the bigger the expectation and I feel like once you've passed you (one's) psychological ceiling price the whisky will never reach the expectation. Good one Geoff, cheers!
21 HP = 500 $CA in Ontario/Canada ............... the 25y HP is 1,000 $CA (700 $USD ~ 550 UKP ! !) . . . i just blend 1 bot of Park C.S with Par-12 , shake and sit for 7 days then enjoy. . .
Hey Geoff. Another great review. I have similar experiences to you. I will go out every now and then and buy one of these expensive bottles but then I want to know I'm getting something really special. And I do find that like many other things, whisky does adhere to the law of diminishing returns. And even more so today with prices that are going through the roof. Bottles I bought a year or 2 ago that are now selling for 5 - 10 times the price. There is so much really good stuff out there in the 10 - 15 year old range especially some of the IB's at cask strength that I think offer way better value than many of the more expensive older core range stuff out there. Personally I'll stick to 18's and younger.
Nice review Geoff. Yes the Viking stuff is so silly. Presentation has never been a strong suit for HP. But as you note HP usually still delivers fine whisky. Very accurate description of the 21 YO. Used to be much more affordable along with the amazing 18 and my favorite the 25. Cheers!
Yeah HP doesn't get the ire of enthusiasts like a lot of the Diageo stuff does (ie Talisker, Lagavulin), but they've been steadily going up in price for a good while now. Good whisky, but most of their stuff isn't great value anymore. Cheers! 🥃
This is my wife’s favourite whisky. Champagne taste, lemonade pockets…. I’ve been to Orkney (and the distillery) many times, the Viking thing isn’t as prominent as they would have you believe. Also the Viking marketing is relatively new! Marketing is the bomb, isn’t it! And yes I have tasted this whisky and it’s f*****g awesome. Review curtesy of my mom…
Hah I think I still have an old pre-viking 12 stashed away somewhere. At some point I might do a side-by-side with the modern one. The first few years (mid 2010s) they got really carried away with the legends nonsense, though. Seems they've calmed down in recent years. Champagne and lemonade pockets, eh? I'll have to look for those notes the next time I pour a dram. Btw... your wife sounds like a very tolerant woman. For strong whisky, I mean. 😉🥃
Thanks for reviewing the HP21as I have never had it. I do find I usually like IB HP bottles over OB bottles. Also, its good to have friends like that. Cheers!
My bottle is still in the stash and I am waiting for that special occasion, because I am poor and need an excuse :) However, the price is now less obsurd as there are plenty of 21 year old whiskies at the €200 mark or more. I love the 18 so guess the 21 will be as good, but one day I will find out.
Well if you've already bought it and it's in the stash, there's nothing left to do with it but enjoy when the time is right! Price aside, it's a genuinely beautiful whisky. Cheers! 🥃
Hi Geoff, nice review. You got me wanting this whisky now (surprisingly, I do not have a bottle..). Are you sure it is unchillfiltered though? The text you read out loud was unspecific, and the lack of texture does suggest heavy filtration was involved. Whiskybase is also inconclusive
Hi Wouter... no I don't know that it isn't, but the whisky is 46%, which would eliminate the need for it. I suppose I'm just giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. Considering your list of HPs, I am indeed surprised you don't have this one! 🥃
My local monster whisky store is full of such bottles that I would never buy .i will just take your word... I was a viking in another life. I did not drink low abv whisky I pillaged on a village raid...the Vikings discovered and settled in North America..centuries before the europeans..tough hombres.. I saw a Kavalan Solist Sherry for $161us the other day...temptation is a bitch...cheers Geoff
Initially I did separate segments for palate and finish. I did that for the camera to visually distinguish the finish from the palate. I combined those segments these days, so now I just do it to be pretentious. 😂
Good review Geoff, not an age i would go with myself as im definitely more into the feistier younger spirits. Quite a fan of HP with the 12 a very good value whisky as a daily driver. Currently on batch 2 CS which is delicious and does not taste like sipping a 63.9% spirit! Its over twice the price as the 12 but i might be able to forgive that.
Haven't tried any hp yet, but I think we only have 10, 12, 18 and Harald on the shelf's. I am poor too, maybe that's why I love your videos :D Thanks for your work, fun to watch as always!
There are very few families in the world, which can track their genealogy 1000 years back. The Danish royal family can do it, and I know of no other. Marketing fluff is not for me
Thank you Geoff for the review, I like highland park, I really love the 18, full volume, dark origins which are affordable, and worth the money. Also even their single casks (I have Netherland#2 and Korea duty free) are fantastic and cost 200$. I never had the chance to get this bottle because I'm poor 🤣. If time and price is right maybe I'll get one
A man of taste! The single cask releases, Dark Origins, and Full Volume are all favourites of mine! The regular 18 is just ok at 43%, but the travel retail at 46% is fantastic! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Yes, I agree. We need that 46% or higher ABV :) Actually I only have tried the Travel edition only, never had the chance on the standard lineup
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Highland Park, Geoff. Been a while since I've had a Highland Park myself. Reason: it has become too expensive and for the affordable expressions... way too much expressions with bullsh!t marketing, that puts me off. Maybe I have to be convinced again... Slàinte mhath
Yeah the price, the often-too-weak abvs, and the marketing... not a winning combination for a lot of people. I'd say you're better off delving into the IBs if you want to get back into HP. Cheers buddy! 🥃
It drinks fancy but not amazing. It does drink its age. You you like this and don’t wanna pay for it, I think the Glenmo 18 offers a very similar experience.
Nice review as always👍 I have tried the 21 before they changed to this very tacky, as you correct said, bottle! It seems that this one probably is better than the one that I've tried. Cheers 🥃
Nice review my friend! I am happy to spend that kind of money on a bottle, but even if I had a net worth of $100 Million I wouldn't buy Highland Park. The 12 and the 18 are dissapointing, the only good HP I've had have been independently bottled.
I like quite a few HP OBs, most of which are now discontinued. The Dark Origins and Full Volume were excellent. I also enjoy the Cask Strength releases. But yeah... I can't argue with the IBs being the real treasures from the brand. Cheers Wade! 🥃
It’s pretty nice to have a 21 year age stated whisky that’s actually 46% NCF and natural color. That definitely seems like better value to me than Mac 18 at 43% for $400.
I have to Nope Out on this one. I've found that there are low range price tags that far out do the mid-range in every sense....the high range tags are typically so because they have a very unique offering, where you know what you're tasting. Mid-range has to step up...either develop a unique aroma...or drop their price. Oh...and whiskey is with an 'ey' you heathen.
I love HP and wonder why they don't seem to get much pub from reviewers. I'm guessing just been around too long? I can understand why the viking stuff is annoying for the scotch world, but inundated with so much silly marketing crap in other areas, it doesn't bother me.
I think it has more to do with the weak abv and high prices than the marketing. If the brand was craft-presented and offered good bang-for-buck I think reviewers would be all over it. Most enthusiasts I know are fans of the house style, myself included. 🥃
Thanks for the review. Gave you a like. I'm not a huge fan of HP - at least the stuff that I can find and afford - mostly because of their watery ABVs, and some of their bottles seem to have a bit of that sulfurous, match-stick note which isn't my favorite. But it's definitely drinkable stuff, IMO. I don't know about your comment regarding chill-filtration, though. Yeah, their marketing clearly says that there is no color added, but does it really say that it is not chill filtered? I'm not getting that. I don't have a bottle or a box on hand, but their website doesn't say or imply that the 21yr is NCF. Maybe that's why you're getting the thin mouth feel....
I think you may be right. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because at 46% there really isn't any need to chill filter the whisky anymore, but it's still possible that it is. I misspoke by saying the box implied ncf. My bad! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I've always been a puzzled why bourbon distillers virtually always chill filter their whiskey, even the high proof stuff. Why chill filter at 46% or above? But I had a really interesting chat one time with a bourbon distiller. He pointed out that many bourbon drinkers drink their whiskey on the rocks, which is a double whammy for cloudiness. Of course, I knew that ice cools the drink down (duh!), but I wasn't really thinking that it also waters the drink down. So a 46% whiskey isn't going to remain 46% for long, and it will actually cloud up very quickly with ice. He also said that 46% is a general rule, but it can vary from one whisky to another... i.e there can be more or less of the fatty compounds depending on how you run your still. Apparently that can mean that some spirits will cloud even above 46%. Anyhow, just rambling. Thanks for the review.
Nice review. Unfortunately the H/P 21 is nearly twice the price of the H/P18 (admittedly at a disappointing 43% ABV) in my market. Frankly I think the $100 Cask Strength (even if NAS) is the better that both. At least the No.1 & No. 2 releases were. Haven't tried No. 3 yet. Cheers.
Hi Geoff, yes waaaay out of my price range. Don’t know why but wasn’t really interested in buying highland park , maybe because of all these different Viking / tattoo etc expressions. Slàinte Geoff.
I'm in my first year of proper whisky drinking. I've got a good collection so far but i am careful about what i buy. Ive never had highland park before, is this really worth £255?!
Good review again. 🤗 For me HP doesnt really kick me the way I want, or kick me at all. The only one that is really nice so far is the cask strength version. The other ones I've tried are too calm. Besides that it's the rediculous increase in price in a short period of time here in Sweden. I bought the 12yo for $38 USD and the 18yo for $86, wich I still thought was ok. Now the 12yo is almost $45 and 18yo for $116, and thats just too much for what it is. To me they've lost their good value. Maybe in the next life I'll buy the 21yo if I'm a multi billionaire 😂
Yeah they used to have some cool standard releases with the Full Volume and the Dark Origins. The standard 12 and 18 have good flavours but they're too light. There's a beautiful 18 year old at 46% that I'll be reviewing soon, but that's also a bit too pricey. The real good HPs tend to be in the world of IBs. 🥃
I love highland park and this review was kinda a let down. I used to be a hugh Martini guy. Now i have gotten in to Scotch big time. In the last few years i have probably bought around 30 bottles and only 2 was the same2 times and that was by accident. I didn't remember that i had bought already. 1 beimg highland park 15 and 1 was one of their cask strength. The oldest ive tried has been glenmorangie 18 and that was a let down. I am fixing to stop drinking a few months to pool each months drinking money. So i can buy me a great 21 year old. I was hoping this would be a great review. I am hoping to find one to set my sights on. Tho now on my list to look for after my few no drinking months and then the 21 year old. Twisted tattoo is on my list and cask strength no3 are one my list. I have has no1 2 and 4. What's funny in my state it's easier to hemp delta 9 products which is pretty much the same thing as weed shipped to my house then it is alcohol. So I am kinda limited on what I can get.
Nice review as always man. I love H.P. whisky, especially the Independent Bottlings. The marketing is whatever, but the pricing is getting silly. It feels like Edrington is trying to catch H.P. pricing up to Macallan's. The Highland Park 18 year just increased to $400 CAD in British Columbia. Long term this feels unsustainable. Cheers man 🥃
Yeah I've been hearing that this sells for $500+ in Ontario, with the 25 reaching $1000. Absolutely absurd. I agree that it's unsustainable. HP is great whisky, but it doesn't belong in the ultra-premium category imo. Cheers! 🥃
That can be the case sometimes, but for me it doesn't apply here. I've done a side-by-side between this and the 18 year old at 46%. Both are exceptional whiskies, but I prefer the 21 tbh. 🥃
@@Gwhisky thanks for that , i would try them out , - but my local special drinks store has sold out , the last price showing was 142 pounds , the price around the uk is now 250 , , thats far to much ;
I lost the interest on Highland Park after the 12 and 18, it doesn't work for me. I've tried some very nice drams from IBs though. I just don't trust their official bottlings.
You need to be in the right mood and it doesn't feel luxurious in your mouth? You're either in a bad relationship with an older bottle, or you're a whisky whore...a pro. Come to think of it, Whisky Pro sounds kinda cool. Anyway, great review! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to Google "find a wealthy friend who likes older bottlings of Scotch and may or may not be of Viking descent to trade lesser value bottles with."
Im Norwegian from the viking fjords and I find the design silly, silly marketing, low abv and the product is meh. Was good but not anymore, just meh. Sad. Good rev brother.
Not to mention the price jumps they've had. I do like the house style quite a bit, but the weak abv and prices are what annoy me the most. Silly marketing doesn't help. Cheers! 🥃
Hey Geoff, keep your tattoos to yourself, please, but I'm bitterly disappointed you didn't don the monocle and tux for this presentation. Poor show, old chap😉 ... or poor photoshop? The HP Cask batch 3 is the only one to appear in my country, but at more than twice its UK price. The (sole) retailer said it wasn't them profiteering but rather because they'd bought a single 6-pack through an "intermediary". Even if it wasn't them they're still being sucked in and think we'll also be suckers. Avoid the ticket-clippers who add nothing/exploit. I haven't yet opened but there's an Elixir SMoS Orkney 2008-22 13yo, 48%, 2 ex-bourbon and 2 ex-sherry butts (despite what whiskybase says) that sounds more like me (taste, $), despite somewhat mixed reviews.
Hah I'll whip out tux and monocle for the 30+ year old. Nothing so pedestrian as a 21, good sir. Yeah I'll be reviewing the batch 3 on Monday, and it's the same case in my market. Way more expensive than in places like the UK or the US. I only bought it because I got it for a much better price on a recent trip. As for your Orkney IB... could be good. I know nothing about that one but some (most) of the best HPs are IBs. Cheers! 🥃
Never tried the 21 yo, but 5 years ago the 18yo was the first HP bottle I'd ever owned and at the time it was the best scotch I'd ever had. Since then I've had older and better single malts, including a 28yo Laphroaig and a 22 yo cask strength independent bottling of HP, both of which were exceptional. Never considered myself a HP fan boy, but they do make some truly outstanding whisky.
Well said. I feel roughly the same about them. Don't hate them, great whisky makers, but not always the best in show. Cheers Peter! 🥃
An honest and nice view is the best exchange!
Appreciate your kindness, buddy! 🥃
Thanks for spreading the love Alan. Sharing is what it's all about! Completely agree about the marketing. I am not a tattoo and viking kind of guy. Despite that, I enjoy HP and often recommend it to friends who want an intro to scotch. I find the balance of grain, peat and sherry offers sufficient flavors to start a conversation about what people like and do not like. I haven't tried the 21 but do like the cask proof. The screw/push cork topper is pretty cool. "Sophisticated Highland Park" is my new favorite oxymoron 😂
Absolutely a great introduction to scotch. Sherry, peat, florals, malt... HP has it all! The CS is great stuff, too. I'll be reviewing the batch 3 sometime soon. Hah they do have some "sophisticated" stuff out there, but they're usually the older IBs... 🥃
Price like old Toyota Corrola ))) Good job .Thanks mr.Geoff ! Kampai !
Hah agree. Too pricey! Ganbei! 🥃
@@Gwhisky i go buy corrola ))))
for reference, i own over 500 bottles from almost every distillery including 15 different expressions of HP. I agree HP 21 is very very good. I also agree it’s not the boldest expression of theirs. imo, the Odin is better being bolder and higher abv. If you ever come to LA, I’d love to treat you to a pour of this Bevmo single cask #770 from 2019. I believe it’s the greatest expression of HP ever made. Too bad there’s only a few hundred bottles!
Very kind gesture, Ross. Your Bevmo single cask sounds absolutely incredible! Yeah I've had some killer IBs and single casks from HP myself. They're usually more interesting than the OBs.
I've no doubt that Odin is great. Pricey, though. Cheers buddy!
Hi, Geoff. I feel your pain, bro 😅. Thanks for a review!
I was gifted a bottle of the August 2019 release (I think, given what you said about casks, yours might be the November one) as a 'thank you' for editing a magazine for The Tolkien Society for just over 20 years and I agree with pretty much everything you said. (Of course, our histories with low proof, older bottles are not quite the same...)
Tolkien Society magazine, eh? A fellow nerd... nice (although I'm more of a Trek nerd than a LotR nerd)! Very cool, and a great gift from them. Cheers Andrew! 🥃
@@Gwhisky There are back issues and (at least in most cases) online PDFs, if you ever feel like diving into another rabbit hole - I edited "Amon Hen" Issue 161 to Issue 282...
It's impossible for us separate the price from the equation and so the higher the price, the bigger the expectation and I feel like once you've passed you (one's) psychological ceiling price the whisky will never reach the expectation. Good one Geoff, cheers!
Totally agree. The classic law of diminishing returns. Cheers Sertug! 🥃
21 HP = 500 $CA in Ontario/Canada ............... the 25y HP is 1,000 $CA (700 $USD ~ 550 UKP ! !) . . . i just blend 1 bot of Park C.S with Par-12 , shake and sit for 7 days then enjoy. . .
Ouch! When your whisky price starts competing with plane tickets it's time to stop and think twice... 🥃
Hey Geoff. Another great review. I have similar experiences to you. I will go out every now and then and buy one of these expensive bottles but then I want to know I'm getting something really special. And I do find that like many other things, whisky does adhere to the law of diminishing returns.
And even more so today with prices that are going through the roof. Bottles I bought a year or 2 ago that are now selling for 5 - 10 times the price.
There is so much really good stuff out there in the 10 - 15 year old range especially some of the IB's at cask strength that I think offer way better value than many of the more expensive older core range stuff out there. Personally I'll stick to 18's and younger.
Agree! High prices make high expectations that are often not met! 🥃
Nice review Geoff. Yes the Viking stuff is so silly. Presentation has never been a strong suit for HP. But as you note HP usually still delivers fine whisky. Very accurate description of the 21 YO. Used to be much more affordable along with the amazing 18 and my favorite the 25. Cheers!
Yeah HP doesn't get the ire of enthusiasts like a lot of the Diageo stuff does (ie Talisker, Lagavulin), but they've been steadily going up in price for a good while now. Good whisky, but most of their stuff isn't great value anymore. Cheers! 🥃
@@Gwhisky you ever make it to California Geoff I’ve got a 1977/2006 29 YO 48.5% HP that will blow your mind I will share with you.
@cato Very kind offer. Sounds incredible! 🥃
This is my wife’s favourite whisky. Champagne taste, lemonade pockets…. I’ve been to Orkney (and the distillery) many times, the Viking thing isn’t as prominent as they would have you believe. Also the Viking marketing is relatively new! Marketing is the bomb, isn’t it!
And yes I have tasted this whisky and it’s f*****g awesome. Review curtesy of my mom…
Hah I think I still have an old pre-viking 12 stashed away somewhere. At some point I might do a side-by-side with the modern one. The first few years (mid 2010s) they got really carried away with the legends nonsense, though. Seems they've calmed down in recent years.
Champagne and lemonade pockets, eh? I'll have to look for those notes the next time I pour a dram.
Btw... your wife sounds like a very tolerant woman. For strong whisky, I mean. 😉🥃
Thanks for reviewing the HP21as I have never had it. I do find I usually like IB HP bottles over OB bottles. Also, its good to have friends like that. Cheers!
Hi Rob. I'm with you. Typically HP IBs are the way to go. And you're right... nice to have generous friends. Cheers, sir! 🥃
My bottle is still in the stash and I am waiting for that special occasion, because I am poor and need an excuse :) However, the price is now less obsurd as there are plenty of 21 year old whiskies at the €200 mark or more. I love the 18 so guess the 21 will be as good, but one day I will find out.
Well if you've already bought it and it's in the stash, there's nothing left to do with it but enjoy when the time is right! Price aside, it's a genuinely beautiful whisky. Cheers! 🥃
How about couple of drops of water? How this 21 open up?
Yeah a touch of water definitely helps! 🥃
If and when I have that kind of money for whisky (£200 here), I'll be putting it towards Springbank
Hi Geoff, nice review. You got me wanting this whisky now (surprisingly, I do not have a bottle..). Are you sure it is unchillfiltered though? The text you read out loud was unspecific, and the lack of texture does suggest heavy filtration was involved. Whiskybase is also inconclusive
Hi Wouter... no I don't know that it isn't, but the whisky is 46%, which would eliminate the need for it. I suppose I'm just giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. Considering your list of HPs, I am indeed surprised you don't have this one! 🥃
My local monster whisky store is full of such bottles that I would never buy
.i will just take your word...
I was a viking in another life. I did not drink low abv whisky I pillaged on a village raid...the Vikings discovered and settled in North America..centuries before the europeans..tough hombres..
I saw a Kavalan Solist Sherry for $161us the other day...temptation is a bitch...cheers Geoff
I must ask, why do you do that motion with your hand in most videos? 5:21
Initially I did separate segments for palate and finish. I did that for the camera to visually distinguish the finish from the palate. I combined those segments these days, so now I just do it to be pretentious. 😂
Good review Geoff, not an age i would go with myself as im definitely more into the feistier younger spirits. Quite a fan of HP with the 12 a very good value whisky as a daily driver. Currently on batch 2 CS which is delicious and does not taste like sipping a 63.9% spirit! Its over twice the price as the 12 but i might be able to forgive that.
Hah I enjoyed my bottle of the CS batch 2 as well. I'll be reviewing the batch 3 on Monday. Also good stuff! 🥃
Haven't tried any hp yet, but I think we only have 10, 12, 18 and Harald on the shelf's. I am poor too, maybe that's why I love your videos :D Thanks for your work, fun to watch as always!
Hah thanks buddy. It's too pricey, anyway. 🥃
Hearing you smack talk the marketing was off set by that tasting exhale finger pull technique...😂
😂😂😂
There are very few families in the world, which can track their genealogy 1000 years back. The Danish royal family can do it, and I know of no other. Marketing fluff is not for me
Thank you Geoff for the review, I like highland park, I really love the 18, full volume, dark origins which are affordable, and worth the money. Also even their single casks (I have Netherland#2 and Korea duty free) are fantastic and cost 200$. I never had the chance to get this bottle because I'm poor 🤣. If time and price is right maybe I'll get one
A man of taste! The single cask releases, Dark Origins, and Full Volume are all favourites of mine! The regular 18 is just ok at 43%, but the travel retail at 46% is fantastic! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Yes, I agree. We need that 46% or higher ABV :) Actually I only have tried the Travel edition only, never had the chance on the standard lineup
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Highland Park, Geoff.
Been a while since I've had a Highland Park myself. Reason: it has become too expensive and for the affordable expressions... way too much expressions with bullsh!t marketing, that puts me off.
Maybe I have to be convinced again...
Slàinte mhath
Yeah the price, the often-too-weak abvs, and the marketing... not a winning combination for a lot of people. I'd say you're better off delving into the IBs if you want to get back into HP. Cheers buddy! 🥃
I think I have only tried Highland park 12 and I wouldn't bother with any more bottles.
As is often the case, the good stuff is mostly in the the IBs. Great house style imo. Cheers! 🥃
It drinks fancy but not amazing. It does drink its age. You you like this and don’t wanna pay for it, I think the Glenmo 18 offers a very similar experience.
I like the Glenmo 18. Not as much, but it's good. 🥃
Nice review as always👍
I have tried the 21 before they changed to this very tacky, as you correct said, bottle! It seems that this one probably is better than the one that I've tried.
Cheers 🥃
Hah well I don't know about how this compares to previous releases, but I definitely enjoy the whisky. If only it were cheaper. Cheers Yiorgos! 🥃
Nice review my friend!
I am happy to spend that kind of money on a bottle, but even if I had a net worth of $100 Million I wouldn't buy Highland Park. The 12 and the 18 are dissapointing, the only good HP I've had have been independently bottled.
I like quite a few HP OBs, most of which are now discontinued. The Dark Origins and Full Volume were excellent. I also enjoy the Cask Strength releases. But yeah... I can't argue with the IBs being the real treasures from the brand. Cheers Wade! 🥃
It’s pretty nice to have a 21 year age stated whisky that’s actually 46% NCF and natural color. That definitely seems like better value to me than Mac 18 at 43% for $400.
Compared to Mac 18 everything's better value. 😂🥃
Mac is overpriced and overrated
Bro, have you had HP Odin? It's amazing!
I preferred the Thor, out of the Valhalla range
I haven't had either. The only Valhalla I had was the Freya, which was excellent. 🥃
I have to Nope Out on this one. I've found that there are low range price tags that far out do the mid-range in every sense....the high range tags are typically so because they have a very unique offering, where you know what you're tasting. Mid-range has to step up...either develop a unique aroma...or drop their price. Oh...and whiskey is with an 'ey' you heathen.
I love HP and wonder why they don't seem to get much pub from reviewers. I'm guessing just been around too long? I can understand why the viking stuff is annoying for the scotch world, but inundated with so much silly marketing crap in other areas, it doesn't bother me.
I think it has more to do with the weak abv and high prices than the marketing. If the brand was craft-presented and offered good bang-for-buck I think reviewers would be all over it. Most enthusiasts I know are fans of the house style, myself included. 🥃
Thanks for the review. Gave you a like. I'm not a huge fan of HP - at least the stuff that I can find and afford - mostly because of their watery ABVs, and some of their bottles seem to have a bit of that sulfurous, match-stick note which isn't my favorite. But it's definitely drinkable stuff, IMO.
I don't know about your comment regarding chill-filtration, though. Yeah, their marketing clearly says that there is no color added, but does it really say that it is not chill filtered? I'm not getting that. I don't have a bottle or a box on hand, but their website doesn't say or imply that the 21yr is NCF. Maybe that's why you're getting the thin mouth feel....
I think you may be right. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because at 46% there really isn't any need to chill filter the whisky anymore, but it's still possible that it is. I misspoke by saying the box implied ncf. My bad! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I've always been a puzzled why bourbon distillers virtually always chill filter their whiskey, even the high proof stuff. Why chill filter at 46% or above? But I had a really interesting chat one time with a bourbon distiller. He pointed out that many bourbon drinkers drink their whiskey on the rocks, which is a double whammy for cloudiness. Of course, I knew that ice cools the drink down (duh!), but I wasn't really thinking that it also waters the drink down. So a 46% whiskey isn't going to remain 46% for long, and it will actually cloud up very quickly with ice. He also said that 46% is a general rule, but it can vary from one whisky to another... i.e there can be more or less of the fatty compounds depending on how you run your still. Apparently that can mean that some spirits will cloud even above 46%. Anyhow, just rambling. Thanks for the review.
Nice review. Unfortunately the H/P 21 is nearly twice the price of the H/P18 (admittedly at a disappointing 43% ABV) in my market. Frankly I think the $100 Cask Strength (even if NAS) is the better that both. At least the No.1 & No. 2 releases were. Haven't tried No. 3 yet. Cheers.
Funny you should mention that... review of the 3rd CS release coming Monday! 🥃
Hi Geoff, yes waaaay out of my price range. Don’t know why but wasn’t really interested in buying highland park , maybe because of all these different Viking / tattoo etc expressions. Slàinte Geoff.
Yeah it seems a lot of people are turned off by the marketing, the pricing, and the weak specs... and rightly so! 🥃
I'm in my first year of proper whisky drinking. I've got a good collection so far but i am careful about what i buy. Ive never had highland park before, is this really worth £255?!
It's good, but I wouldn't recommend it for the price. 🥃
I'm always happy to swap something older for something younger - particularly at swingers' parties.
Listen...
Love your reviews, they are so fun. Wish I had a friend with a 21 YO.
Also 9+9+9=26 casks 😊
Hah thanks man. Yeah math was never my strong suit. 😂
Good review again. 🤗
For me HP doesnt really kick me the way I want, or kick me at all. The only one that is really nice so far is the cask strength version. The other ones I've tried are too calm.
Besides that it's the rediculous increase in price in a short period of time here in Sweden. I bought the 12yo for $38 USD and the 18yo for $86, wich I still thought was ok.
Now the 12yo is almost $45 and 18yo for $116, and thats just too much for what it is. To me they've lost their good value.
Maybe in the next life I'll buy the 21yo if I'm a multi billionaire 😂
Yeah they used to have some cool standard releases with the Full Volume and the Dark Origins. The standard 12 and 18 have good flavours but they're too light. There's a beautiful 18 year old at 46% that I'll be reviewing soon, but that's also a bit too pricey. The real good HPs tend to be in the world of IBs. 🥃
I love highland park and this review was kinda a let down. I used to be a hugh Martini guy.
Now i have gotten in to Scotch big time. In the last few years i have probably bought around 30 bottles and only 2 was the same2 times and that was by accident. I didn't remember that i had bought already. 1 beimg highland park 15 and 1 was one of their cask strength. The oldest ive tried has been glenmorangie 18 and that was a let down.
I am fixing to stop drinking a few months to pool each months drinking money. So i can buy me a great 21 year old.
I was hoping this would be a great review. I am hoping to find one to set my sights on.
Tho now on my list to look for after my few no drinking months and then the 21 year old. Twisted tattoo is on my list and cask strength no3 are one my list.
I have has no1 2 and 4.
What's funny in my state it's easier to hemp delta 9 products which is pretty much the same thing as weed shipped to my house then it is alcohol. So I am kinda limited on what I can get.
Nice review as always man. I love H.P. whisky, especially the Independent Bottlings. The marketing is whatever, but the pricing is getting silly. It feels like Edrington is trying to catch H.P. pricing up to Macallan's. The Highland Park 18 year just increased to $400 CAD in British Columbia. Long term this feels unsustainable. Cheers man 🥃
Yeah I've been hearing that this sells for $500+ in Ontario, with the 25 reaching $1000. Absolutely absurd. I agree that it's unsustainable. HP is great whisky, but it doesn't belong in the ultra-premium category imo. Cheers! 🥃
some people i know say that the 18 is better , i have found that in other whiskys ..
That can be the case sometimes, but for me it doesn't apply here. I've done a side-by-side between this and the 18 year old at 46%. Both are exceptional whiskies, but I prefer the 21 tbh. 🥃
@@Gwhisky thanks for that , i would try them out , - but my local special drinks store has sold out , the last price showing was 142 pounds , the price around the uk is now 250 , , thats far to much ;
Nice review. These go for $360 USD in Texas. Can’t justify that price at all
Eesh. Nah that's too much. 🥃
I rather Douglais Lang's IB of Highland Park 21YO 😮
Ever tried the Valknut?
I've had it, but never owned a bottle. I've owned the Valfather and the Valkyrie, though. 🥃
you and I should have a beer, which is odd, since we both prefer whisky
I'm in.
@@Gwhisky your treat
I lost the interest on Highland Park after the 12 and 18, it doesn't work for me. I've tried some very nice drams from IBs though. I just don't trust their official bottlings.
Agree. The IBs are the way to go with HP. Cheers! 🥃
I liked the 18..but £100...Highland Park are wayyyyyy tooooo expensive for under whelming whisky!End of...
Enjoyed this one, but don’t have a bottle, too expensive.
Agree. Too pricey! 🥃
You need to be in the right mood and it doesn't feel luxurious in your mouth? You're either in a bad relationship with an older bottle, or you're a whisky whore...a pro. Come to think of it, Whisky Pro sounds kinda cool. Anyway, great review! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to Google "find a wealthy friend who likes older bottlings of Scotch and may or may not be of Viking descent to trade lesser value bottles with."
To be fair, never said I wasn't a whore. Lol Google search idea is sound. 🥃
Im Norwegian from the viking fjords and I find the design silly, silly marketing, low abv and the product is meh. Was good but not anymore, just meh. Sad. Good rev brother.
Not to mention the price jumps they've had. I do like the house style quite a bit, but the weak abv and prices are what annoy me the most. Silly marketing doesn't help. Cheers! 🥃
If you are poor then I have no hope in hell lol
😂 You'd be surprised.
Hey Geoff, keep your tattoos to yourself, please, but I'm bitterly disappointed you didn't don the monocle and tux for this presentation. Poor show, old chap😉 ... or poor photoshop?
The HP Cask batch 3 is the only one to appear in my country, but at more than twice its UK price. The (sole) retailer said it wasn't them profiteering but rather because they'd bought a single 6-pack through an "intermediary". Even if it wasn't them they're still being sucked in and think we'll also be suckers. Avoid the ticket-clippers who add nothing/exploit.
I haven't yet opened but there's an Elixir SMoS Orkney 2008-22 13yo, 48%, 2 ex-bourbon and 2 ex-sherry butts (despite what whiskybase says) that sounds more like me (taste, $), despite somewhat mixed reviews.
Hah I'll whip out tux and monocle for the 30+ year old. Nothing so pedestrian as a 21, good sir.
Yeah I'll be reviewing the batch 3 on Monday, and it's the same case in my market. Way more expensive than in places like the UK or the US. I only bought it because I got it for a much better price on a recent trip.
As for your Orkney IB... could be good. I know nothing about that one but some (most) of the best HPs are IBs. Cheers! 🥃
0:30 Are you really poor?
Are you really a bean?
@@Gwhisky interesting. I'll take that as a no then. Liar! 🤨