Highland Park 18 is great and all, but I've tried it side-by-side with the 12 year and would describe it as a further refinement of the characteristics already present here: honey, heather, a really pleasantly balanced amount of peat and barrel smoke, a delightful echo of refill sherry casks, and a wee bit of brine. While I certainly do appreciate the elevated smoothness and complexity offered by the 18, the 12 costs almost a third the price and the 18's not 3x better. This is a core single malt and one of the best values available--grab a bottle of the 18 for special occasions, but buy bottle after bottle of the 12--that's my plan, at least!