Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington
Highland Park 12 Year Viking Honour
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
October 30, 2020 (edited October 8, 2022)
Smoke, wait... Sherry, wait... Iodine, wait... fruitcake... vanilla... wood... stewed pears... Cheerios... what an identity crisis
Color: light golden
Body: legs are few and slow, somewhat thin and light on entry, tingle but no burn or bite, short-medium finish
Nose: (see above)
Palate: honey, allspice, anise first and then a deeper honey (almost smokey agave) and orange marmalade, hint of oak and then the stewed pairs are back with a bit of rasin.
I don’t get much leather or any tobacco. I also don’t get a mouth coating, everlasting finish. What I do get I like though, quite a bit. Some sips I want more smoke but then I find it along with iodine a few sips later. The complexity is outstanding and so well balanced.
That said, there are no real surprises - just goodness. If the viscosity could go up a kick and more anise or clove sneak in I’d empty my wallet. This, however, is outstanding none the less and lands close to Talisker 10 for me, a personal favorite. It’s not too much of anything but I would like everything turned up a point or two. Can’t always get what you want so might as well have a drink and get over it!
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
Great review. This is one of my favorites.
@WhiskeyLonghorn Great point that this is a good intro scotch! I usually think of more of a highland or speyside, but with this someone can say "I liked X, but I wanted more Y and less Z" and you can point them in the right direction. Or just take the bottle off their hands if they don't like it ;)
@WhiskeyLonghorn @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington Ugi is one heck of a mouthful. Standout whisky and has earned its accolades. I’d say it takes those components of HP12 and turns them to 12 or 13, leaving 1-10 and even 11 in the dust. It’s just intensely flavorful - might call it “thick” but wouldn’t assign the “creamy” descriptor. For creamy/sherried/peaty/proofy I’m probably out of my league and will defer to Sr. Longhorn. Haven’t had many of those mentioned. I trend to see those creamy, lactose-y notes in grainy unpeated drams like the Glen Garioch 12 I am currently enjoying.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington Ugi is definitely a step up from this, but it’s much more peat and sherry forward, and the proof difference is over ten points. I know you like high proof bourbon, so it shouldn’t be a problem ;). As for creamier and in a similar price range...I’m might recommend anCnoc 12, Deanston 12, or Compass Box Oak Cross. They’re all creamy Highland/Speyside drams and they’re unpeated. If you’re looking for something in between those and the Ardbeg, maybe go with a peated Benriach or Balvenie.
@bigwhitemike @WhiskeyLonghorn any recommendations on a creamier, possibly slightly higher proof of this one? It just checks so many boxes. I hear good things about Ardbeg Uigeadail and it’s within the $70 range, which status post tariffs isn’t all bad.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington @WhiskeyLonghorn agree x10. It’s a great all-arounder and continues to be affordable.
Good review. I gave his the same score. Just a little bit of everything here. I recommend this to folks who want to try scotch for the first time because it has that little touch of everything, and depending on what they like, I can recommend further bottles from there. Plus it’s still affordable so a scotch noob isn’t out too much $$$ if they hate it (plus I usually abscond with the bottle in that case!).