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Highland Park 12 Year Old

Highland Park 12 Year Old

(0.75l, 40%)


7.6/10
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The True Dram.
 
Situated on the Island of Orkney to the west of Kirkwall, Highland Park is the most northerly distillery in the World. It was founded by Magnus Eunson in the late 18th century, one of many Orcadian smugglers and illicit Whisky producers who rebelled against the heavy excise duties imposed to finance the war with Napoleon. It is said that he used his position as Church Officer to conceal Whisky beneath the church pulpit. The distillery was licensed in 1826 by Robert Borwick, whose son-in-law, the local Exciseman John Robertson, is generally credited with routing out the smugglers. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to use hard water. Also unusual is the use of traditional floor maltings for germinating the barley, which is then dried over a fire of local aromatic heather peat. This is the source of the heathery smokiness that is characteristic of Highland Park Whiskies.
 
Highland Park 12 YO was first introduced in 1979. It is a blend of different single malts the youngest of them being at least 12 years old. Since then it remains the core expression of the Highland Park Distillery renowned for its smooth and balanced characteristics that are more than a benchmark to many different Scotch single malts. A timeless dram that is a must have for anyone who considers himself just a bit of a Scotch aficionado.

Flavor Spiral™

About The Flavor Spiral

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peaty
malty
oak
lemon
vanilla
spicy
orange
sherry
cinnamon
What does Highland Park 12 Year Old taste like?

The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Highland Park 12 Year Old and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.

We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
Dog Dogson
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Smartass
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Whisky or Whiskey? The spelling differs geographically. In Scotland, Japan, and some other parts of the world, distilleries usually spell it Whisky; in Ireland and the USA, they spell it Whiskey.

Tasting Notes
Appearance / Color
Rich amber
 
Nose / Aroma / Smell
Sweetest peat around with hints of orange, sherry, vanilla and cinnamon.
 
Flavor / Taste / Palate
The peat becomes stronger and the malt kicks in. Oak, lemon and vanilla are also present with some spices tingling around.
 
Finish
Long and rich finish with waves of different sensational flavors.

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Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Highland Park 12 Year Old
Victor
Victor,
Smooth with a bit of smoke
 
Joanna
Joanna,
Did not like how smokey it tasted.
 
Owen
Owen,
This is my go to scotch anytime, anywhere. Beautiful and well rounded with just a little bit of hearty leather
 
Joe
Joe,
Not a fan of the wood.
 
Mark
Mark,
Can't believe I can't find this anymore!
 
Ben
Ben,
A good, well priced peated flavor.
 
Josh
Josh,
Smoky, Caramel
 
BRIAN
BRIAN,
I like this one it's elegant
 
guest
guest,
Excellent all rounder
 
guest
guest,
Smoke is more subtle. Very easy drinking. Not super complex, short to medium finish.
 
Simon
Simon,
Never tried a Highland Park before and this was on offer. I was expecting something a little smokier but it is quite subtle in every aspect. Hire drinkable but lacks any real depth. Very subtle sherry and fruit, incredibly light. Pretty mediocre all round. Nice but can't say anything more...
 
Calvin
Calvin,
Rather simple, light peat and smooth
 
Oskari
Oskari,
Easy introduction to peaty whisky, first time didn’t like it, but it grew on me.
 
Matt
Matt,
Good not great A solid whisky very similar to Talisker Skye levels of peat, noticeable smokiness. Flavours perhaps are sweeter than Talisker and are definitely longer ending on a slightly bitter taste. Preferred drinking this relatively neat, watering it down too much just destroys it. I probably wouldn’t get it again as I think it tends to be more than Talisker without a discount. The two for me are almost identical.
 
Bob
Bob,
Hint of smoke
 
James
James,
Very smooth with a little bit of peat.
 
Tom
Tom,
Starting to get peaty! Great pour to start a night. I like this a lot.
 
Brendan
Brendan,
Well-balanced sherry and peat. Solid.
 
Thomas
Thomas,
Simply the most perfect combination of aromas, swirling flavors, and just the right amount of sting and burn. As a fan of the range of whiskies, from rye to bourbon to scotch, this is my trusty fallback under any desired flavor situation.
 
John
John,
Good scotch; strong without being overpowering.
 
Daren
Daren,
It tastes like band-aids.
 
Sharif
Sharif,
It's definitely not my favorite, the sherry cask dominates any peat flavors that should be there. This is NOT a good introduction to peat as some like to say. The flavors are quite mild and it tastes noticeably thin at 40% ABV. The redeeming quality is that there is a nice woody after taste that lingers a bit. Splurge and buy an older HP if you have the chance, I'm going to use this one for cocktails.
 
David
David,
This is a really smooth high end tasting Scotch for a nominal price. The level of smokiness is lower for my taste in Scotches, however for the price point, this is a very good purchase.
 
Angel
Angel,
I've been enjoying the new Viking Honor version. Wonderful barley sweet fruit and a touch of smoke. Priced slightly higher than I would have liked but worth the coin.
 
Eric
Eric,
My favorite whiskey I've tried thus far.
 
guest
guest,
Very disappointing on a blind taste. May change my review if I go back to it later on but at the moment. Really not impressed.
 
Alana
Alana,
I don't think I like scotch. I don't like peat.
 
Jason
Jason,
Smooth, not smokey or peaty. Good quality and should get again.
 
Dominic
Dominic,
Too much smoke.
 
Scott
Scott,
Smooth, good hint of smoke. Buttery with some spice.
 
Jason
Jason,
smooth without a strong bite.
 
Jason
Jason,
A little disappointed here. I taste the strong peat, but this also reminds me of a cheap cigar. I will continue to try this until it is gone.
 
Anthony
Anthony,
Perfect balance of sweetness and smoke .
 
Eric
Eric,
Loved the Highland Park, especially before they came out with all their named releases. Will try the 12 again when I can find one.
 
John
John,
Smoky and peaty, but not overpowering. Enjoyable flavor palate. A true favorite!
 
Marcus
Marcus,
Smoky and smooth, always have to have this on my bar. My everyday kinda scotch.
 
bill
bill,
If you don’t like this , you are not a scotch guy. Just an absolutely pleasure to drink
Matt
Matt,
^^^^ this. A harsh truth. Haha.
Daniel
Daniel,
My go-to scotch when I want a smooth scotch.
 
Robert
Robert,
I really love that peaty smoky flavor. I really enjoyed this one! Great chilled while enjoying a sporting event.
 
Richard
Richard,
A Scotch's Scotch. While nothing exceptional, it's an extremely reliable drink with a lovely little bit of bite and smokiness you might hope for.
 
Michael
Michael,
Very decent.... have a love/hate feel for it but it really is a nice dram
 
Davis
Davis,
Love it! It is very bright flavor with a Smokey base. It is very enjoyable
 
Jason
Jason,
Only just starting to get into the world of Scotch but this one has a soft & "pretty" taste with a slight smokey finish. Flavors lasted in the mouth for about 15-20 seconds before the smokey taste was left.
 
Ryan
Ryan,
Smooth with a great flavor
 
Tana
Tana,
Own it
 
Dan
Dan,
The sweet is nice, but the peat.
 
Maria
Maria,
hint of smoke caramel undertones
 
Jason
Jason,
Needs to breathe a little but solid single malt
 
Logan
Logan,
Very nice sweet notes with a mild smoke quality finish; occasionally a nice leather note
 
Imran
Imran,
Great w touch of water. sweet sherry front, slight peat, soft finish
 
Jason
Jason,
Slow opening. Soft spice and Carmel opening. Not lots of length
 
Mike
Mike,
I’ve had McAllen 18, Glenlivet 18 and many others. For my taste, I put this right there in that grouping at half the price. So far, this is my absolute favorite👍
 
Gary
Gary,
The perfect combination of peaty and smoke, one of the best iv tried so far.
 
Dean
Dean,
Similar to Glenfarclas 12, this bottle needed to sit for awhile and oxidate to get rid of a little petrol funk. Once that smoothed out, you truly are left with this beautiful sample of everything malt whiskies have to offer: a little peat, delicious rich sherry fruitiness, robust maltiness, and plenty of other flavors all nicely married.
 
John
John,
The perfect mix of smoke/peat against light flavor. My favorite single malt scotch.
 
Ro
Ro,
A little too smoky for my liking, but a solid scotch nonetheless.
 
Brian
Brian,
Definitely a more peaty scotch. Pretty smooth, wonderful flavor.
 
Kevin
Kevin,
Love this, too, and am very disappointed that they've discontinued it for the Viking Honour. (Which is also damn good whiskey, but why they had to junk this one ...) It's lightly peated, and the peat is a bit sweeter than the Islay peat, so it's not all smoke and bother.
 
guest
guest,
Nice balanced note, lots of vanilla, honey, butterscotch, peat and Smokey. The new Highland Park has more spice then the old version, which has more sherry notes.
 
Matthew
Matthew,
A bit sweet but enjoyable.
 
Eduardo
Eduardo,
Salty with discrete peat, some oak and sherry notes, medium long finish
 
Piotr
Piotr,
Very delicate smoke, rich sherry smell and flavor. Long finish raisins and again delicate smoke. Seems older than it is. Great value for money. My top 3 whisky for sure.
 
Balazs
Balazs,
excellent
 
John
John,
Stunning
 
guest
guest,
Smooth, sweet, just a hint of smoke and a spicy finish. Creamy mouthfeel. A remarkable dram, one of my favorites!
 
guest
guest,
Sweet butterscotch peat, caramel transitions to sweet smoke finish.
 
Danny
Danny,
Overall decent scotch. Like the smoky sweat taste but can’t hold a candle to some of the Islay scotches I’ve tried.
 
Rodney
Rodney,
Take the ferry across the North Atlantic to Stromness, disembark in a mist of rain and sunshine, taste the salt spray on your lips, then dry out next to a log fire at the nearest pub while catching up on your copy of the Orkneyinga Saga. Only then will you truly unlock the mystery and complexities of an island Scotch such as this.
 
Michael
Michael,
An easy drinking go to
 
guest
guest,
Great
 
Michael
Michael,
Too sweet for my taste
 
guest
guest,
Solid. Good amount of smoke without being overwhelming
 
arthur
arthur,
I found it disappointing
 
Jonathan
Jonathan,
Enjoyed the smokey yet smooth flavor.
 
Corrado
Corrado,
Too strong of an alcohol finish. Overly sweet
 
Ryan
Ryan,
Not my normal whiskey but picked up a bottle on recommendation of a friend. Didn't like it until I paired it with smoked brisket (beef) and then the peat and smoke flavor really shined!
 
Ryan
Ryan,
Sweet spicy nose with a hint of smoke, and a blend of spice and honey with some salty notes.
 
Kenneth
Kenneth,
Smiley, sweet whiskey.
 
Jason
Jason,
A good tasting whiskey and ideal if you are in the middle about a peaty taste as it's not as strong as some. A good middle ground.
 
Daniel
Daniel,
Peat, some floral/grassy notes, and brine in the nose. On the palate it's sweet smoky honey. Mouthwatering body and finishes with more smoke like burning leaves. Overall pretty good, but somewhat one dimensional.
 
Jonathan
Jonathan,
On of my favorite affordable single malts.
 
Jared
Jared,
My favorite Scotch period.
 
guest
guest,
Nice basic whisky with a combination of sweetness and smoke Nose - honey Palate - not too complex or full - sweetness honey - smoke Finish - old wood - smoke
 
guest
guest,
Very smooth, nose is fantastic, balanced. It lacks some depth and real power and taste. For this money good and a classic malt to have. I prefer this above most € 30 Whisky but it loses to a Old Pulteney 12 even with the bucks extra you have to pay for that one.
 
guest
guest,
Smoky and smooth
 
Bob
Bob,
Nice blend of a sweeter whisky but with a pleasant smoky undertone. Adding to my bar.
 
guest
guest,
Very nice for around a $54 dollar bottle
 
Iain
Iain,
Nice and light. Seemed a little smokier the second time I had it, but nowhere near as smokey as an Islay. Might be one for some one looking to for an introduction from a Speyside to the islands
 
Peter
Peter,
I expected it to be smokier. That's not a bad thing. Maybe I'm just getting used to good scotch now.
 
guest
guest,
Not my personal favorite
 
Robert
Robert,
Nice one soft tones delicate
 
Will
Will,
Nice smoked and sweet, with a taste of sherry for a boast of flavor.
 
Chris
Chris,
Different. It's like a cross between a highland and a islay.
 
guest
guest,
Smooth
 
Matthew
Matthew,
Delicious.
 
guest
guest,
Very smooth
 
guest
guest,
Smokey sweet and a bit spicy, not too strong
 
Bruce
Bruce,
Superb
 
Jonas
Jonas,
Nice and spicy with alot of character
 
Kevin
Kevin,
A real good all-around experience in a single glass. It's not super complicated, but it can have as much or little character as you're interested in experiencing in any given sitting.
 
guest
guest,
My introduction to Single Malt
 
guest
guest,
Smokey and sweet, excellent.
 
Josh
Josh,
Beautifully complex. A wonderful journey from the nose through the palate with a bit of peat on the finish. Excellent! On my shelf.
 
guest
guest,
Smokey. Burn Carmel.
 
guest
guest,
Erg lekkere whisky
 
guest
guest,
Tasted a little wood on after awhile. I could smell honey. After adding a little bit of water the taste was more pronounced.
 
Jacob
Jacob,
Grass
 
guest
guest,
I liked the balance on this one . Soft smoke. Underlying honey and slight saline salty.
 
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