It pains me to say this considering I live smack dab in the middle of Kentucky, but Highland Park 12 might be one of the best whisky experiences I've ever had.
Such a beautifully balanced dram, aroma and palate, all very pleasant and refreshing. Certainly my go to benchmark when comparing other whiskys around this price point.
I had some trouble with the dark origins. I've been drinking bourbon my whole life, and wanted to try a scotch. A couple months ago I got a sample of dark origins at my local liquor store. They gave it to me in a plastic shot glass, and holy shit it was good. Rich, smokey, and very smooth. I thought I found my new favorite. Took a bottle home, put it in a glencairn glass, and it tasted like gasoline. Then I tried it in a bourbon tumbler, and it was all burning tire and compost that wouldn't go away even after I chased it with different whiskey. Just couldn't do it anymore. Luckily I was able to pass it on to one of my in-laws so it didn't go to waste.
Chad P That's unfortunate. I loved Dark Origins. When I drink scotch, my go to glass is a stemless wine glass. I found dark origins to be rich and sweet. For a NAS I was more than impressed.
@@Ivytea Yeah it's a little bit more expensive than what it costs here in Norway, converted to Canadian it's 80-81ish. And that's one of the cheaper single malts i can buy here.
Yeah I'm new to scotch. My first was McAllen and I loved it next was glenfiddich very good too. Next Highland park very nice.... but then I drove head first into Islay and not so much. It reminded me of when I used to work in a restaurant where the chef loved to pour liquid smoke into my coffee. Maybe smoky whisky isn't for me. Highland park has just the right amount of smoke, for me (for now)
I recently finished hiking all of the blazed trails in Sterling Forest State Park in New York and, due in no small part to your recommendation, rewarded myself with a bottle of Highland Park 12. Opened it on Friday and really liked it!! Keep up the good work. Your videos are fun.
Got the first bottle of higland park 12 a couple of days ago and i have to say i am not disappointed at all! This is a great one in my opinion. So tonight the feet go up fast and the Whisky goes down slow ;) Sláinte my friends!
This may be the smoothest whiskey Ive ever had, of any type. The smoke and peat is largely subdued compared to other Islay scotches. Neat, its great, if I add any water I can barely taste the alcohol. At $55 in October 2022, I would call it slightly overpriced, but an EXCELLENT choice for someone getting into scotch.
Getting this for my 76 year old Father who Graduated from Highland Park High for his birthday this week. He went to Scotland and did not buy it as it was more than in the US...I'm excited to try it!!!
Ive had it twice at my Dad's and cant stop thinking about it. Waiting for a new BevMo coupon to bring down the $55 price...it is soooo good!!! My Dad remembers more Peat when he had it in Scotland.
I’m new to Whisky. I went to a little whole in the wall liquor store near my place. I asked for a whisky that is good, but not a lot of people know about. He suggested a bottle of higher end Highland Park that was $176. So now I think this guy is trying to take me for a ride and rip me off. (Again, I’m totally ignorant when it comes to whisky.) I was like,”$200! That’s out of my price range.” He then suggest HP12 for $63. Without thinking I say,”okay”. Then I walk out of the store thinking,”I just spent $70 on something that I’ve never even heard of.” I UA-cam it and your video and all of the comments make me feel a lot better about my purchase. Thank you. I’m sure that I’ll enjoy it.
My sister and brother in law are the whisky hobyists, but some of it rubbed off on me. Mostly scotch. Though I'd enjoy a glass of Ardbeg giving me a peaty kick in the groin for a change, I wouldn't want to spend the whole evening with it. If I want something smokey I have fond memories of Tanisker. For a walk on the Speyside a Monkey Shoulder will do. But soon I'll want to venture further north to the island of Orknay. The Viking Scar, The Dragon Legend... but once I tasted that 12 year old Higland Park I knew I found my go-to whisky.
I had my first crack of HP 12 and was not impressed. I like the story, location, and branding but can't say I will be picking up another bottle anytime soon. My favorites are Talisker 10 and Laphroaig 10. I have a lot of respect for Islay malts. Once you palate develops it's hard to go back to none peat malts. I do appreciate Glendroach and Glenfarclas but find them to be one dimensional and not as exciting as Islay. HP 12 reminded me of an Irish whiskey with grain mixed in. It tasted like a lighter version of Glendalough Double Barrel. That's not a bad thing, I just expected HP to have more salt and iodine for being an Island malt.
Hey fella, as a Scotsman I think you, the scotch4dummies guys and Horst Leuning, at Whisky.com are at the top of your game. We ordinary Scots are all raging, at the moment, because Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP, has just introduced minimum price per unit, alcohol pricing laws. An standard budget brand bottle of whisky/vodka etc has gone up over three pounds and a litre bottle, over four pounds. It isn't going down well, as you might imagine.. As always, a great review.
Joe Ninety i realise i'm responding to a year old comment, but who cares. it's interesting to hear the perspective of a scotsman! tbh i cannot bring myself to disagree with minimum price laws on alcohol because of its huge social cost and adverse health effects (let's be honest, "budget brand whisky" is bought just to get drunk, not to sip). what i do find hard to stomach is the 70% tax on any sale that automatically goes to the british government. with brexit moving closer, if there's anything good to come out of it it might be the fact that it's speeding up the process of dissolution of the (ex) british empire, and possibly scottish independence. if that's what the scottish people want, i wish them the very best of luck. love & support from the mainland 😉
I believe its best referred to as "Christmas Eve Eve". And I don't know what it is, but since getting into whiskey (largely thanks to you guys), I have overwhelmingly preferred Bourbons and other American Whiskeys over Scotch. The only Scotch I've loved is Balvenie 14ys Caribbean Cask, while I've loved all but one American whiskey (Journeyman Silver Cross). This Highland Park just comes off as musky, salty, and spikey - though the finish is long and silky. Maybe it will shift in the future, but I apparently can't appreciate certain Scotch characteristics. Gonna stick to Bourbon!
Ugh, I'm getting that same chemical, vomit-like smell from highland park 12 that I was getting from Monkey Shoulder. Thankfully the smoke makes the taste bearable; but I now have a bottle I don't know how to deal with because mixing it doesn't feel right. I guess I'm definitely not into scotch; except for Laphroaig and Ardbeg so far, so Islay only? I guess more of a bourbon guy, but irish whiskey is definitely within my ballpark. Still, I feel let down. Gotta try some Connemara just to see how I feel about that. I mean yeah it's somewhat fruity, there's smoke but it's not overpowering, well incorporated, has that heavy buttery flavour with a slightly rancid aftertaste, strong orange peel, overpowering cherry subnotes and raw eggyolk. The whole mouthfeel is great and the aftertastes beckons you to drink more... but the nose and flavour are just off. I just wish the review was more detailed so I could've gotten a hint as to how to enjoy this one.
I was overwhelmed by a grassy-mulchy-composty smell that was not pleasant on the nose. That carried over in the taste, also. I see I'm much in the minority here so I'm a little nonplussed. I like pretty much all the varietys of Scotch with Laphroaig and Glenmorangie being my usual go to's. So what am I missing here?
Bought a bottle this afternoon after much deliberation. First scotch whisky I've actually bought and I'm sold on this fine drop. Possibly converted this regular bourbon drinker over to the other side :) Sooooooo good.
Highland Park 12 is great example to show people a peated whisky. It’s not in your face with peat with an enough good orange peel, vanilla and caramel.
I've recently bought a bottle of this and it's quite hot and very peaty. Maybe I'm just a pansy, I had a similar issue with Dalwhinnie 15yr and thinking it was smoky. lol
I am new to the whole whiskey thing (other than shots with beer) I bought a bottle of this and barely managed to get through a glass... the overwhelming flavor for me is burnt tire and ash. I suppose I will have to grow into it. I thought I would like it as I like darker beer but I am finding it hart to relate parallel tastes between beer and whiskey.
Spicing this for the first time as I watch this video. Hands down the best Scotch I have tried so far. Sweet with a little bit of caramel and smoke. Oily, but in a great way. Coats the mouth and leaves a wonderful taste. I’m not very experienced with whiskeys, just beginning my journey, but I am about 10 different ones in and this is the winder so far. Hands down.
Just working my way through your back catalogue and picked the island section. You go for this and I look over my shoulder and I have a bottle of this on my shelf, with not much left in it! A beautiful tipple.
Thnx, to the video's on your channel and the info/fun. I bought the highland park 12 as my first stap to smoked whisky. In the beginning I was scared of the smoke, but after the first sip I was sold! what a wonderful experience to taste that smoke in a whiskey !!! Thank you very much, you really help me and keep up the good work!
I've been slowly exploring my bottle of HP 12 (which I have decided to affectionately rename HP Sauce)...anyway today I got a flavour/aroma that I haven't got in any whiskey yet: beeswax! I was immediately thrown into childhood memories of melting beeswax to make Ukrainian easter eggs.
Highland Park 12 reminds me EXTREMELY of Glendronach 18....the earthy, spicy notes....i had both glasses in comparison and its insane how similar they are....but maybe im just a nap lul
I just had some Highland Park 12 a few days ago at a whiskey bar and now I'm going to buy a bottle. It's outstanding. earthy, with a touch of smoke, and slight lingering sweetness.
Trying for first time. Put it off for a long time. They're so young, think anything of them (sleeping lol). It was Amazing. What was I thinking, stupid jk lol. Merry Christmas.
Agreed. It was recommended to me in a store when I was visiting NY. It's one of my favorites now. It's sort of the best elements of some of the different varieties of Scotch.
In my opinion HP 12yr is a great scotch but it is always overpriced when I am able to find a bottle at one of my local liquor stores.. I payed $71 for a fifth of HP 12yr and it was the newer release.. I have 2 bottles from the early 2000's that I bought 4 years ago and the new HP 12yr, finsh is nothing like the old HP 12yr.. Both of the liquors taste great but the old 12yr has a very mellowed smoke/peat with a very mild brine, salt water but oaky wood on the back end with a slight coffee and vanilla note.. The newer HP tastes somewhat similar, like it is the same family tree but the newer HP taste very hot and the alcohol is very present and forthcoming..
Hi I'm a newbie. I started scotch with Highland Park 10 and now try glenfiddich 12 and glen feels like a massive downgrade. Does this mean I like smokey whisky's more in general?
Might be a bit late, I’m 18 and wanting to buy a bottle of whiskey but it would be my first bottle ever. Coming up to Christmas t sounds nice to have a glass or two over winter so what does everyone recommend? I understand some people hate scotchh and like bourbon or visa Verda but I’m unsure where to start. Used to enjoy bourbon but began to find it slightly too aggressive and didn’t enjoy it as much.
Might be a bit late, but if your country's legal drinking age is 18, and you're able to obtain a bottle on your own, on the slightly higher end, I would Recommend Dalwhinnie 15. A really approachable, yet mature and rich single malt. If you're looking to save a few dollars, you might be interested in something like Glenfarclas 12 or Auchentoshen American Oak. Aberlour 12 would be a good bet too. All three are really fine single malts. Sexton, although it's a single malt *Irish* whiskey, is a really nice offering considering the price. One of the best in its price range. Just remember, when it comes to whisk(e)y, price, though not always, can be a fair indication of things to come. That's not to say all good scotch is over $50, and not all $35 scotch is young and abrasive. Just keep in mind that really fine spirits aren't usually cheap, and really cheap spirits are not usually very fine. In my area of the US, the $45 price point is where it starts getting interesting. But it's all very subjective. Experiment. Find what you like. Everyone's taste and opinions are widely different. Happy hunting. Cheers.
Awkward Me I got a bottle of the highland park 12 yr for my bday from my sister. Surprisingly, a few drops of water and persistence actually made me very used to drinking whiskey and other alcohol straight and I noticed each time I drank a glass it would present a different note. A nice experience for a £30 bottle of whiskey and my first. Thank you for the recommendations. I’m actually turning 19 in 2 days so I’m going to look at maybe using some of the money I get (I work so it’s spare for me to enjoy) to buy a new bottle maybe a bit higher end. Appreciate the response though and will consider some of those bottles in the future :)
Wish me luck boys, my Highland 12yr is in the mail. I'm a beginner who prefers a smooth syrupy alcohol (basically honey whisky and spiced rum) so this is another of my attempt at liking smoky whiskys. Thanks for the video for mentioning the Grouse, which is one I actually had experience with. My memory of Grouse was a drink me and my mate had to calm down after a night of heavy drinking to blow off the steam of living in a foreign country. I remember it burning more than the cocktails I'm used to (or maybe my throat couldnt handle the smoke), but Grouse is still that bottle your family sent to give you a taste of home in a foreign land. If I still cant like Highland 12, I guess I'll stay away from smoky whiskys for another few years then. And at least I also have Monkey Shoulder in the mail too, that one I'm pretty sure I'll like. Btw, do Highland 12 and Monkey Shoulder performs well on the rocks? I remember mention that Islays are too weak on the rocks, but I live in a tropical country.
First taste of this I threw up a little, second time I genuinly thought this is awful, third time I'm actually liking this stuff. Whiskies are weird stuff for a beginner.
I had the Viking Honour and I thought it was TERRIBLE. I was so confused because I thought that was the standard 12 that he is reviewing here. I am newer to scotch, but I love my different Ardbegs, and Balvenie Doublewood. But that Viking was so bad IMO.
@@JustinLargent For me in sweden when i re count dollar to our currency the 18 yo costs about 99 to 101 dollars US then it is and the 21 YO costs as much as 296 dollars
@@JustinLargent If I should buy the 18 YO i would pay up to a 100 USD plus a little extra but then i live in sweden, but around 100 USD where I live just to get the 18 YO 700 ml
Got a bottle set aside and wasn’t too impressed but I’ll give t another shot. Love the islay though. Ardbeg will forever hold a high spot on my personal list
I just tried this scotch, it tastes a lot stronger than I thought. But I'm new to whiskey so I'll see what I think later on. Interested in cigar pairings
So is the older one totally out of production? This was my first time with Highland Park 12 based upon your comments and I have to say, I like it. I like it a lot. And I am a Spyside guy when it comes to Scotch.
I use to really enjoy Highland Park 12yo until a friend from Orkney introduced me to Scapa Flow.. I would like you do a comparison video review of these two mighty fine drams...
Highland Park 12 is one of the most disappointing bottles I ever bought. Not one of the worst, but disappointing. I bought my first bottle (and last) in 2024, so maybe things have changed since this video, but I think the 40% kills it. It´s just sooo boring and so hyped by any UA-camr, so it´s probably just me??? I had a sample of a higher strength HP 25, and that was amazing, but any 40 ABV I have tried just doesn’t cut it for me.
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I used to be the postman to highland park, loved the smell every morning..
As a Bourbon addict, and with a meh relationship to actual Scotch- I'm enjoying my first bottle of this. Nice review 🥃
3:10 goes to drop some damn whisky on the table and then says '' yes'' in a glorifying way. Gotta love it
Glad this wasn't just me to notice. I had to back it up a couple times.
It pains me to say this considering I live smack dab in the middle of Kentucky, but Highland Park 12 might be one of the best whisky experiences I've ever had.
im from lexington ky so i feel you just got some yesterday definitely gives Kentucky straight bourbon a run for its money
Such a beautifully balanced dram, aroma and palate, all very pleasant and refreshing. Certainly my go to benchmark when comparing other whiskys around this price point.
Great video as always. Small correction though, The shetlands are actually the north-most islands in Scotland. 😁 keep up the good work.
YES! Totally right. I had forgotten about those up there between Faroe Islands and Norway ;-)
thanks for the catch!
I had some trouble with the dark origins. I've been drinking bourbon my whole life, and wanted to try a scotch. A couple months ago I got a sample of dark origins at my local liquor store. They gave it to me in a plastic shot glass, and holy shit it was good. Rich, smokey, and very smooth. I thought I found my new favorite. Took a bottle home, put it in a glencairn glass, and it tasted like gasoline. Then I tried it in a bourbon tumbler, and it was all burning tire and compost that wouldn't go away even after I chased it with different whiskey. Just couldn't do it anymore. Luckily I was able to pass it on to one of my in-laws so it didn't go to waste.
Chad P That's unfortunate. I loved Dark Origins. When I drink scotch, my go to glass is a stemless wine glass. I found dark origins to be rich and sweet. For a NAS I was more than impressed.
My fave 'budget' scotch. Talisker 10 is another one i like for christmas time.
Not tried a huge assortment though.
HP12 is 89.99 at the LCBO in Ontario, Canada 😬
@@Ivytea Yeah it's a little bit more expensive than what it costs here in Norway, converted to Canadian it's 80-81ish. And that's one of the cheaper single malts i can buy here.
Highland Park 12 yr might be the best Scotch you can buy
It's the best Scotch I have bought.
My first love & will be my last
It's a great 'introduction' Scotch. I tell my friends to try it after Johnnie Walker Black as a first step into Single Malts
It's sooo good
@Pagani Zonda HP 12, but Balvenie is great as well.
Nothing rounds off a friday evening better than a finger of Highland 12. Tastes great without being expensive enough to induce guilt.
Yeah I'm new to scotch. My first was McAllen and I loved it next was glenfiddich very good too. Next Highland park very nice.... but then I drove head first into Islay and not so much. It reminded me of when I used to work in a restaurant where the chef loved to pour liquid smoke into my coffee. Maybe smoky whisky isn't for me. Highland park has just the right amount of smoke, for me (for now)
Shit I can't stop watching these videos, you guys deserve alot more subs!!
I recently finished hiking all of the blazed trails in Sterling Forest State Park in New York and, due in no small part to your recommendation, rewarded myself with a bottle of Highland Park 12. Opened it on Friday and really liked it!! Keep up the good work. Your videos are fun.
Got the first bottle of higland park 12 a couple of days ago and i have to say i am not disappointed at all! This is a great one in my opinion. So tonight the feet go up fast and the Whisky goes down slow ;) Sláinte my friends!
HP12 is my absolute favorite Scotch.
This may be the smoothest whiskey Ive ever had, of any type. The smoke and peat is largely subdued compared to other Islay scotches. Neat, its great, if I add any water I can barely taste the alcohol. At $55 in October 2022, I would call it slightly overpriced, but an EXCELLENT choice for someone getting into scotch.
Getting this for my 76 year old Father who Graduated from Highland Park High for his birthday this week. He went to Scotland and did not buy it as it was more than in the US...I'm excited to try it!!!
Ive had it twice at my Dad's and cant stop thinking about it. Waiting for a new BevMo coupon to bring down the $55 price...it is soooo good!!! My Dad remembers more Peat when he had it in Scotland.
I’m new to Whisky. I went to a little whole in the wall liquor store near my place. I asked for a whisky that is good, but not a lot of people know about. He suggested a bottle of higher end Highland Park that was $176. So now I think this guy is trying to take me for a ride and rip me off. (Again, I’m totally ignorant when it comes to whisky.) I was like,”$200! That’s out of my price range.” He then suggest HP12 for $63. Without thinking I say,”okay”. Then I walk out of the store thinking,”I just spent $70 on something that I’ve never even heard of.” I UA-cam it and your video and all of the comments make me feel a lot better about my purchase. Thank you. I’m sure that I’ll enjoy it.
My sister and brother in law are the whisky hobyists, but some of it rubbed off on me. Mostly scotch. Though I'd enjoy a glass of Ardbeg giving me a peaty kick in the groin for a change, I wouldn't want to spend the whole evening with it. If I want something smokey I have fond memories of Tanisker. For a walk on the Speyside a Monkey Shoulder will do. But soon I'll want to venture further north to the island of Orknay. The Viking Scar, The Dragon Legend... but once I tasted that 12 year old Higland Park I knew I found my go-to whisky.
I bought my 1st bottle and did not care for it. There was a very strong earthy or black licorice note that I could not stand.
I had my first crack of HP 12 and was not impressed. I like the story, location, and branding but can't say I will be picking up another bottle anytime soon. My favorites are Talisker 10 and Laphroaig 10. I have a lot of respect for Islay malts. Once you palate develops it's hard to go back to none peat malts. I do appreciate Glendroach and Glenfarclas but find them to be one dimensional and not as exciting as Islay. HP 12 reminded me of an Irish whiskey with grain mixed in. It tasted like a lighter version of Glendalough Double Barrel. That's not a bad thing, I just expected HP to have more salt and iodine for being an Island malt.
Hey fella, as a Scotsman I think you, the scotch4dummies guys and Horst Leuning, at Whisky.com are at the top of your game. We ordinary Scots are all raging, at the moment, because Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP, has just introduced minimum price per unit, alcohol pricing laws. An standard budget brand bottle of whisky/vodka etc has gone up over three pounds and a litre bottle, over four pounds. It isn't going down well, as you might imagine.. As always, a great review.
Joe Ninety i realise i'm responding to a year old comment, but who cares.
it's interesting to hear the perspective of a scotsman! tbh i cannot bring myself to disagree with minimum price laws on alcohol because of its huge social cost and adverse health effects (let's be honest, "budget brand whisky" is bought just to get drunk, not to sip).
what i do find hard to stomach is the 70% tax on any sale that automatically goes to the british government.
with brexit moving closer, if there's anything good to come out of it it might be the fact that it's speeding up the process of dissolution of the (ex) british empire, and possibly scottish independence. if that's what the scottish people want, i wish them the very best of luck. love & support from the mainland 😉
I just bought and tried it tonight. Love it already.
I believe its best referred to as "Christmas Eve Eve".
And I don't know what it is, but since getting into whiskey (largely thanks to you guys), I have overwhelmingly preferred Bourbons and other American Whiskeys over Scotch. The only Scotch I've loved is Balvenie 14ys Caribbean Cask, while I've loved all but one American whiskey (Journeyman Silver Cross). This Highland Park just comes off as musky, salty, and spikey - though the finish is long and silky. Maybe it will shift in the future, but I apparently can't appreciate certain Scotch characteristics. Gonna stick to Bourbon!
Just heard Dark Origins got discontinued. Damn! I love it.
Ugh, I'm getting that same chemical, vomit-like smell from highland park 12 that I was getting from Monkey Shoulder. Thankfully the smoke makes the taste bearable; but I now have a bottle I don't know how to deal with because mixing it doesn't feel right. I guess I'm definitely not into scotch; except for Laphroaig and Ardbeg so far, so Islay only? I guess more of a bourbon guy, but irish whiskey is definitely within my ballpark. Still, I feel let down. Gotta try some Connemara just to see how I feel about that.
I mean yeah it's somewhat fruity, there's smoke but it's not overpowering, well incorporated, has that heavy buttery flavour with a slightly rancid aftertaste, strong orange peel, overpowering cherry subnotes and raw eggyolk. The whole mouthfeel is great and the aftertastes beckons you to drink more... but the nose and flavour are just off. I just wish the review was more detailed so I could've gotten a hint as to how to enjoy this one.
I was overwhelmed by a grassy-mulchy-composty smell that was not pleasant on the nose. That carried over in the taste, also. I see I'm much in the minority here so I'm a little nonplussed. I like pretty much all the varietys of Scotch with Laphroaig and Glenmorangie being my usual go to's. So what am I missing here?
Bought a bottle this afternoon after much deliberation. First scotch whisky I've actually bought and I'm sold on this fine drop. Possibly converted this regular bourbon drinker over to the other side :) Sooooooo good.
Highland Park 12 is great example to show people a peated whisky. It’s not in your face with peat with an enough good orange peel, vanilla and caramel.
I've recently bought a bottle of this and it's quite hot and very peaty. Maybe I'm just a pansy, I had a similar issue with Dalwhinnie 15yr and thinking it was smoky. lol
As much as I love Daniel it's just not the same without Rex mootching it up.
I am new to the whole whiskey thing (other than shots with beer) I bought a bottle of this and barely managed to get through a glass... the overwhelming flavor for me is burnt tire and ash. I suppose I will have to grow into it. I thought I would like it as I like darker beer but I am finding it hart to relate parallel tastes between beer and whiskey.
Sitting right now with a Glencairn glass with Highland Park 12 in it
Spicing this for the first time as I watch this video. Hands down the best Scotch I have tried so far. Sweet with a little bit of caramel and smoke. Oily, but in a great way. Coats the mouth and leaves a wonderful taste. I’m not very experienced with whiskeys, just beginning my journey, but I am about 10 different ones in and this is the winder so far. Hands down.
Just working my way through your back catalogue and picked the island section. You go for this and I look over my shoulder and I have a bottle of this on my shelf, with not much left in it! A beautiful tipple.
I just had this for the first time tonight. Brand new to scotch, but smoke was the flavor that jumped out at me.
Thnx, to the video's on your channel and the info/fun. I bought the highland park 12 as my first stap to smoked whisky. In the beginning I was scared of the smoke, but after the first sip I was sold! what a wonderful experience to taste that smoke in a whiskey !!! Thank you very much, you really help me and keep up the good work!
I've been slowly exploring my bottle of HP 12 (which I have decided to affectionately rename HP Sauce)...anyway today I got a flavour/aroma that I haven't got in any whiskey yet: beeswax! I was immediately thrown into childhood memories of melting beeswax to make Ukrainian easter eggs.
I found a Highland Park 12 Viking Honour. Is that the same as Highland Park 12 he is drinking.
Highland Park 12 reminds me EXTREMELY of Glendronach 18....the earthy, spicy notes....i had both glasses in comparison and its insane how similar they are....but maybe im just a nap lul
Definitely on my wishlist
Love these guys !! Thanks for the videos!
Highland Park Park 12 is a damn good whiskey. I need to get me a bottle of the 18 sometime
I really enjoyed HP12 for $39.99 but I'll never know what the HP12 for $54.99 tastes like. Too bad for me.
Can you recomend a smiliar wiskey?
I'm a fan of dalmore, ardbeg and Monkey Shoulder.. just tried HP and i think it tastes like Brandy (ish) with slightly peated and oily whisky ..
This is excactly how whiskey review should be, thumbs up buddy
thank you for these great videos
Hey guys what do you think about new HP 12? I really think it has become worse..
I just had some Highland Park 12 a few days ago at a whiskey bar and now I'm going to buy a bottle. It's outstanding. earthy, with a touch of smoke, and slight lingering sweetness.
Shetlands is further North but it's ok. Your a legend !
Trying for first time. Put it off for a long time. They're so young, think anything of them (sleeping lol). It was Amazing. What was I thinking, stupid jk lol. Merry Christmas.
Just bought it and love it
Please do a review of the new Highland Park 12 Viking Honor, it blew my mind and I'd love to see your thoughts and reaction.
It's lovely!
I agree, please do a review on it! Thinking about buying it as my first whisky!
Agreed. It was recommended to me in a store when I was visiting NY. It's one of my favorites now. It's sort of the best elements of some of the different varieties of Scotch.
I would love a review on this also! Picked it up last week and it's incredible! Be cool to hear the thoughts of the of the Whisky vault!
I would be interested in a review too. I hear mix reviews on a lot of the different whiskey sites.
In my opinion HP 12yr is a great scotch but it is always overpriced when I am able to find a bottle at one of my local liquor stores.. I payed $71 for a fifth of HP 12yr and it was the newer release.. I have 2 bottles from the early 2000's that I bought 4 years ago and the new HP 12yr, finsh is nothing like the old HP 12yr.. Both of the liquors taste great but the old 12yr has a very mellowed smoke/peat with a very mild brine, salt water but oaky wood on the back end with a slight coffee and vanilla note.. The newer HP tastes somewhat similar, like it is the same family tree but the newer HP taste very hot and the alcohol is very present and forthcoming..
Just finished the last 2 drops of my first bottle of HP 12😭
The optimistic 1/2 full bottle never applies unless it’s unopened
One of the best scotch whiskies there are.
OK, so, how does this [Highland Park 12] compare to Ardbeg uigeadail?
I was in the Orknies last month and came across this. Took a bottle home, didn't know it was such a big deal, just that I liked it.
3:10 I hate when I do that.....
Hi I'm a newbie. I started scotch with Highland Park 10 and now try glenfiddich 12 and glen feels like a massive downgrade. Does this mean I like smokey whisky's more in general?
Nicely done nicely review
Might be a bit late, I’m 18 and wanting to buy a bottle of whiskey but it would be my first bottle ever. Coming up to Christmas t sounds nice to have a glass or two over winter so what does everyone recommend? I understand some people hate scotchh and like bourbon or visa Verda but I’m unsure where to start. Used to enjoy bourbon but began to find it slightly too aggressive and didn’t enjoy it as much.
Might be a bit late, but if your country's legal drinking age is 18, and you're able to obtain a bottle on your own, on the slightly higher end, I would Recommend Dalwhinnie 15. A really approachable, yet mature and rich single malt. If you're looking to save a few dollars, you might be interested in something like Glenfarclas 12 or Auchentoshen American Oak. Aberlour 12 would be a good bet too. All three are really fine single malts. Sexton, although it's a single malt *Irish* whiskey, is a really nice offering considering the price. One of the best in its price range.
Just remember, when it comes to whisk(e)y, price, though not always, can be a fair indication of things to come. That's not to say all good scotch is over $50, and not all $35 scotch is young and abrasive. Just keep in mind that really fine spirits aren't usually cheap, and really cheap spirits are not usually very fine. In my area of the US, the $45 price point is where it starts getting interesting. But it's all very subjective. Experiment. Find what you like. Everyone's taste and opinions are widely different. Happy hunting. Cheers.
Awkward Me I got a bottle of the highland park 12 yr for my bday from my sister. Surprisingly, a few drops of water and persistence actually made me very used to drinking whiskey and other alcohol straight and I noticed each time I drank a glass it would present a different note. A nice experience for a £30 bottle of whiskey and my first. Thank you for the recommendations. I’m actually turning 19 in 2 days so I’m going to look at maybe using some of the money I get (I work so it’s spare for me to enjoy) to buy a new bottle maybe a bit higher end. Appreciate the response though and will consider some of those bottles in the future :)
Home ❤️
Having my Highland Park 12 right now. Pairing it with a La Gloria Cubana serie R cigar
Wish me luck boys, my Highland 12yr is in the mail. I'm a beginner who prefers a smooth syrupy alcohol (basically honey whisky and spiced rum) so this is another of my attempt at liking smoky whiskys. Thanks for the video for mentioning the Grouse, which is one I actually had experience with. My memory of Grouse was a drink me and my mate had to calm down after a night of heavy drinking to blow off the steam of living in a foreign country. I remember it burning more than the cocktails I'm used to (or maybe my throat couldnt handle the smoke), but Grouse is still that bottle your family sent to give you a taste of home in a foreign land. If I still cant like Highland 12, I guess I'll stay away from smoky whiskys for another few years then. And at least I also have Monkey Shoulder in the mail too, that one I'm pretty sure I'll like.
Btw, do Highland 12 and Monkey Shoulder performs well on the rocks? I remember mention that Islays are too weak on the rocks, but I live in a tropical country.
First taste of this I threw up a little, second time I genuinly thought this is awful, third time I'm actually liking this stuff. Whiskies are weird stuff for a beginner.
Any word when the viking honour review will be coming?
Aaron9 THANK GOD. I bought it a few weeks ago and I couldn’t be more disappointed.
I had the Viking Honour and I thought it was TERRIBLE. I was so confused because I thought that was the standard 12 that he is reviewing here. I am newer to scotch, but I love my different Ardbegs, and Balvenie Doublewood. But that Viking was so bad IMO.
If you have tried Highland Park 12 YO and liked it should you then try 18 YO or jump straight into the 21?
I like the 18 better than the 21. I also just got a bottle of HP Dark Origins, and it's very good as well.
@@JustinLargent So your answer to help me with my question is to go with the 18 yo? :)
@@gustavjansson6499 Definitely if the price gap is as it is for me. 18 yr around Texas is 160, and the 21 is around 400.
@@JustinLargent For me in sweden when i re count dollar to our currency the 18 yo costs about 99 to 101 dollars US then it is and the 21 YO costs as much as 296 dollars
@@JustinLargent If I should buy the 18 YO i would pay up to a 100 USD plus a little extra but then i live in sweden, but around 100 USD where I live just to get the 18 YO 700 ml
Got a bottle set aside and wasn’t too impressed but I’ll give t another shot. Love the islay though. Ardbeg will forever hold a high spot on my personal list
Christmas Eve Eve can also be called Christmas Adam, since Adam came before Eve.
this is worse than a dad joke, this is Big Bang theory level
I went back and read this in a Sheldon voice XD
Aberlour 12 is to me an Wow.
I just tried this scotch, it tastes a lot stronger than I thought. But I'm new to whiskey so I'll see what I think later on. Interested in cigar pairings
So how does it taste compared to the new "formula" Vikings Honor?
I like the older one a bit more. But it could by psychosomatic
So is the older one totally out of production? This was my first time with Highland Park 12 based upon your comments and I have to say, I like it. I like it a lot. And I am a Spyside guy when it comes to Scotch.
Yeah, I think so.
I’ve been drinking the sauce for years and i can tell you it’s exactly the fuckin same dram, just a new bottle and a silly name.
Thoughts on Valkyrie?
Valkyrie is good, but I like HP 12 better and HP 12 is less expensive.
I use to really enjoy Highland Park 12yo until a friend from Orkney introduced me to Scapa Flow..
I would like you do a comparison video review of these two mighty fine drams...
Rasuke11 Thought Scapa edged it myself..
Try Highland park dragons legend. The smokier side of Highland park.
Kinda tastes like really strong mead to me-Smooth as can be.
Taste like honey fruit spice and leather
I really dont know. For what purpose would you add water?
Excellent vídeos.
A few drops of water brings out the flavors in whiskey. A chemical reaction happens.
I haven't tried hundreds of whiskies, but since they put this one at £25 I believe is the best value for the money you can spend on whiskey
Highland park 12 is my go to Christmas Day drink
I like to think of it as Christmas Steve
love this scotch it doe's no wrong...happy happy.
Review dragon legend plz
I have yet to taste the Highlandpark 18, but I found the 12 a bit underwhelming. Nothing special, a solid Scotch, but not more.
Cmon daniel we know you want to review the 18 years old. Rex help me convicing him plz (damn good whisky to mooch i would)
I'm a big Scotch person
Am i the only one who gets a deep red leather from this dram ?
Highland Park 12 is one of the most disappointing bottles I ever bought. Not one of the worst, but disappointing. I bought my first bottle (and last) in 2024, so maybe things have changed since this video, but I think the 40% kills it. It´s just sooo boring and so hyped by any UA-camr, so it´s probably just me??? I had a sample of a higher strength HP 25, and that was amazing, but any 40 ABV I have tried just doesn’t cut it for me.
0:45 Whisky somalis???
Must have meant sommerliér
High land park 25
Idk it's not terrible but I'd rather sip even white label neat
23 ? Hmmm Pappy
Should say sipping. Effing auto correct..
Hey spilly pants, don't waste scotch!
An AMAZING scotch! A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An ex gf of mine called the 23 Christmas Adam because Adam came before Eve
Everytime i see this guy drink scotch I get the feeling he really doesn't know what he's talking about. That can't just be me right?