Telex
Highland Park 15 Year
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
September 27, 2017 (edited October 21, 2024)
It’s amazing what three years can do to a whisky. The 18 is light years away from the 12, but the 15 is also substantially better as well. The nose has a little peat, sweet caramel, nice floral notes, pineapple...very nice. At first, I went in neat at 43%, but a few drops of water helped out. On the palate, there are golden raisins, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and some nice peat in there as well. An intense sweet and sour (balanced) finish follows with a hint of smoke. Wow! Since Highland Park is discontinuing this soon, what is supposed to take its place? If it’s the Valkyrie, that is not good because the quality is not matched.
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Scott---you're right---their marketing approach is just in disarray. So many different versions being put out at once in the last few months. Maybe it's a shotgun approach...see what works and flies off shelves
Interesting. I find that quite ironic for HP @Slainte. Almost sounds as if they have two ways to go: create whisky that is of lesser quality and charge more or create a whisky that is great and charge an exceptional amount. Supply and demand economics.
I think HP has become a victim of its own success. Even Dark Origins (NAS) was 'too successful' that it had to be discontinued. When I talked to HP brand ambassador Martin Markvardsen, he said that both HP21 and Dark Origins had to be discontinued because they don't have enough casks. It's probably best to hoard as many bottles as possible for the future.
As I read these comments and read marketing information from HP, I really wonder what is going on with HP. There is much product confusion in the HP line, in my opinion. I am a fan of HP, but it seems like their product marketing strategy is in disarray. (KISS - Keep it simple stupid)
I think we are headed towards a time when there will be no whisky with an age statement under 20-25 years old. Supply cannot meet current or the foreseeable future's demand. If they can blend new and older stuff competently it shouldn't be that big of an issue, except for overall rising prices. I was hoping that would level off but it doesn't seem to be the case.
There's the new one too, HP Dragon...is that the replacing one of the aged versions?
Dark Origins was the replacement for the 15. And now Valkyrie takes the place of D.O.
No, the Valkyrie is the replacement for Dark Origins. Guess there is no replacement for the 15.