Highland Park 18 year old Whisky

In my quest for new and interesting whiskies, I often consult my friend Marc. He owns the Whisky Brother shop in Hyde Park and always has fine whiskies on hand. On a recent visit, I left with a bottle of Highland Park 18 year old single malt Scotch whisky.

The Highland Park has won many awards over the years, and luminaries such as Jim Murray has consistently rated it highly.Candice Baker, a South African, acts as the brand ambassador in my country was a further incentive. I was looking forward to trying it.

Presented in the familiar Highland Park bottle with its characteristic black packaging and age statement boldly displayed.

Established in 1798 on the island of Orkney, Highland Park is the most northerly whisky distillery in Scotland. Orkney is an archipelago in northern Scotland, north of the coast of Caithness. Highland Park is thus an Island type of whisky – distinct from Islay.

Highland Park is strongly associated with Magnus Eunson. Eunson is credited with starting the distillery at the end of the 18th century. His smuggling operations were based from his hideout on the High Park above Kirkwall where Highland Park Distillery now stands. Having read all the positive reviews, I was  looking forward to trying it.

Also Read: Aultmore 18 yo Whisky

Highland Park 18 year old Whisky Review

REGION: Island

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Warm burnished gold.

NOSE: Notes of oak, smoke and honey. Overlaying these notes are fruits and floral aroma’s. It’s quite a complex nose.

PALATE: Notes of dried fruit, honey and some spice. The smoke and peat were subtle and nicely blended. In the background, I picked up some citrus notes. It’s not a big, bold whisky, and on the palate, quite delicate.

FINISH: Short. The florals turn to spice and espresso at the end.

RATING: VERY GOOD

After the tasting, I looked at John, perplexed.  My first impression is that this is a nicely balanced whisky. Based on all the awards it has won and the glowing feedback from other whisky blogs, I was expecting something special. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but this whisky failed to excite me to the level I had expected.

I wanted to give it a Divine rating, and maybe that’s the problem. I may be in the minority when I say I was not blown away by this Highland Park 18 year old whisky at all. Looking critically at it, I found it overrated. There is nothing that stands out about this dram.

I paired this whisky with a
Mature Gouda cheese, and it makes this Highland Park 18 yo more drinkable.

At the end of 2016, I paired this Highland Park 18 year old Scotch with a Toblerone White with Honey and Almond Nougat pieces. It was part of my annual New Years Eve Whisky Chocolate pairing celebration.  Not the best of the pairings I tried. I have also tasted the Highland Park 1997 whisky from this distillery.

Also Read: The Glenlivet 18 yo whisky