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Highland Park Scotch Whisky 12 year -- 750 mL

Wine Review

Tasting Highland Park 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

An evolving journey through a complex, island-inspired scotch

12
Years
2
Months
4+
Drams
Section I

The Initial Impression

I decided to try Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Year. It’ll take a few sittings for me to fully appreciate how this whisky holds up and whether it matches the positive reviews I've read online.

 

Price & Market Positioning

Highland Park is about double the price of Speyside whiskies like Glenlivet or Glenfiddich and is on par with Macallan 12 Year.

Flavor Profile
  • →Smoothness — Macallan is the smoothest 12-year-old single malt I've had, and Highland Park 12 ranks just below that.
  • →Flavor — There’s a hint of bite that nips at the periphery, with slight peatiness that gives it a more sophisticated flavor and aroma.
  • →Overall Impression — Well done! Highland Park 12 packs quite a bit into a mid-range single malt without sacrificing too much. I agree with online reviews that it’s a recommended choice for first-time single malt whisky drinkers, offering much more to experience compared to Macallan 12.
Aroma Note: One negative is the fragrance, which has a hint of what I can best describe as old dried seawater in the background. It could be my glass or a quirk of this bottle, but if it is part of its signature, it is certainly distinct.
Section II

Tasting Evolution

PeriodMilestoneFinding
Week 24th DramImproved character, needs to breathe
Sept 2015Final ReviewExquisite, worthwhile addition
Update 7/25/15

After two weeks and my fourth dram, I’ve noticed the character of the whisky has improved. It might just need some time to breathe or perhaps I’m becoming more accustomed to it. Tonight, I’m pairing it with Swiss cheese and plain crackers; the cheese helps cleanse my palate before each sip. Although it’s improved, I must admit my preference still leans toward Macallan.

Update 9/2/15

My apologies for my initial hesitation! This whisky truly needs time to breathe. It has become a rather exquisite drink. I had a particularly enjoyable evening where I imbibed several drams, and it was incredible. It took quite a while for Highland Park 12 to reveal its true character, but it has proven itself a worthwhile addition to my liquor collection. I’ll likely buy another bottle in the near future.

 

Patience is the key ingredient to unlocking the full potential of this Highland Park expression.
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