Whisky Forum - Poor Highland Park 12

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1212

I picked up some Highland Park 12 over christmas as it was on offer in the supermarkets and it has always been a favourite of mine but i have to say i am very disappointed, i detect a wee bit of an off sherry note and where has the lovely bit of Highland Park smoke gone to?

This is the first HP 12 i have bought in quite some time as i had quite a few bottles i had picked up a couple of years ago when it was on offer. Has anyone else noticed a change in the HP 12?

Archer · Master Of Malts Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1519

I would agree the touch of smoke has faded in the Highland Park 12 over the years making it not as desirable as it once was. Happily HP 18 has remained consistently excellent and still one of my favourite malts.

Kray · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:48 pm Post subject:

Jim Murray agrees with you also, he scores the HP 12 at 78 in the 2012 Whisky Bible, blaming faulty sherry butts. Personally i didnt get any off sherry notes but certainly less sherry influence and very very little trace of smoke compared to what you got a few years ago.

Have they tweaked the vatiing of what goes into Highland Park 12 and lost what makes it so good.

johnwalker · Member Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Netherlands

I recently tried HP 12 years and I did not enjoy the acidic character.
Fortunately I still have a bottle of Ardbeg 10.

Samson · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:24 am Post subject:

The HP12 isnt what it used to be but i still enjoy it and havent experienced any bad sherry notes. I do think the peat has faded a little over the years in the 12.

I do wish Highland Park would make all the travel retail exclusive bottles available everywhere, i have never seen the point in this marketing method.

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

I have an unopened HP 12 from last year, I'll see what it's like soon. The only times I've had it recently have been in pubs, and, yes, I did think it was relatively disappointing, though it wasn't a 'proper' tasting so I can't tell. Most recently I had it alongside a Glenfarclas 15, Caol Ila 12 and Balvenie Single Barrel (it was a good pub - great selection!) and, even though under 'normal' circumstances Highland Park would be my favourite, it was by far my least favourite of the 4.