🥃 Whisky Auctioneer

Well-made sherried HP spirit.

A superb whisky that delights. Even if a bit expensive ...

The nose promises a lot of what the taste for me even exceeds, the finish is not so intense for me, 48% I think he had perfected. But still very delicious

Where do I line up for the life time supply? This is ridiculous good whisky. Thanks to Feorag86 for the sample.

Always consistently good. Replaced by a new 25yo core. new packaging. and too bad prices had likewise gone up... a pity.

Drink up this bottle quickly as it degrades a lot after opening it. After 2 months they only have a shadow of the first impression. Bottle code L0526 L21 25/10

This is a review of the second darkest batch release that I've seen. I have a darker one that I haven't opened yet. My earlier review was an 87 of a very light colour batch that was gold in colour without any amber. This one is much better with strong flavour profile on both the nose and palate.

I had this malt in 2011 for the first time and was delighted. Top HP next to the 30 (#1) and the Ragnvald (#3) so far. HP 1976 and 40 are still on my bucketlist. Samples to trade welcome! Ragnvald is really Rögnvald Kali Kollson an Orkney nobleman who initiated building the cathedral of Kirkwall. This guy is a real saint and the malt is blessed! Not to be confused with Ragnvald a Swedish KIng mentioned in the Äldre Västgötalagens Kungakrönika of 1240. The 25 used to be a great standard over the years. I remember the blue wooden box with the golden hinges. The new wooden box is cool and the Whisky is as good as the older version. There are some batch variations but after all superb liquid. I gave it a 91 then here on WB. Looking back and having tasted it recently again - it has to be a 93 by now because I have not come across many better malts the past ten years. Nose is sublime. Taste is multidimensional with an endless finish. Ahhh the milk chocolate! Given the proper time - a stunner. I could only wish for 3% more Alc. A must as HP lover. Forget most of the current stuff!

Nose: First you notice the depth of the whisky, then overripe grapes, orange peel, fresh apple juice, nuts, dark chocolate, some clove and gingerbread spices. The alcohol has the perfect strength for this whisky to carry it through all the olfactory buds of the nose without causing any disturbance. This nose is simply heavenly. The smoke has basically broken down into all of its individual parts and brings these beautiful spices. I could smell it here for hours. It takes you back to Christmas Eve as a child when the baked apple is baking in the oven and the chocolate gingerbread is on the table. The wood stove warms the room and Grandpa comes in with a glass of homemade apple cider. Mouth: Wonderfully sweet start. The spices build up slowly. The mouth fills with orange juice and cloves. The spices play a concert in your mouth and your cheeks fill up. You can hold it in your mouth forever and I don't want to swallow it anymore. But my mouth is getting fuller and I have to get the water out of my mouth. Finish: It lingers throughout the mouth, leaving behind the spices and moisture. There is now some oak remaining, but not unpleasantly, just the 60% bitter note that rounds it off wonderfully. Plus that underlying vanilla when you exhale. You can now notice the storage and its age, which has made it so balanced that you don't want to get rid of that aftertaste. Conclusion: There is nothing more to say here than that this is one of the best whiskys I have ever had and it has rightly landed in my top 5 favorite whiskys. But I don't count this as a smoky one because the smoke is no longer present here, but is actually broken down into its components and they are so delicious. Briefly about the price, which unfortunately is completely through the roof. Yes, it's just too much for this whisky, but it's still a one in a million dram and the sample was worth every cent.

An absolute top whisky!

One of my favorite whiskies from my favorite distillery!

Comparison between 25yo WID:73617, 30yo WID:317 and 1973/2010 WID:15976 The 25 is simply a really great whisky. A beautiful interplay of spiciness, fruit, sweetness, spices, slightly bitter tones, subtle smoke and a light breeze. It all fits together wonderfully. You could say the same thing about the 30. It just makes everything a little more balanced without being boring. It's just a little darker in color, but that also shows in the aroma and taste. A little more viscous, more voluminous, more mouth-filling and more refined. Now for the 1973. Interesting. Its character is more similar to the 25. Not only in terms of color, it is more in the direction of the 25, or even a little lighter. But it simply seems a good deal more polished, without being too smooth. While the fruits of the 30 tended to be reddish, the fruits of the 1973 are now a rich yellow. In comparison, the 30 also seemed a little more bitter and sherry-heavy, whereas the 1973 is a little more brilliant. So these are three really top whiskies that are a lot of fun to drink. If I had to rank them, it would be as follows: 1. 1973 2. 30yo 3. 25yo

Aroma：Pronounced；Palate：90/100; Aftertaste：Med-Long.

With a higher abv to preserve some of the highly complex notes, our 25 year old is matured using a very high proportion of first fill sherry casks, which not only impart a wonderfully rich, nutty spiciness but also an intensely dark and full bodied flavour profile: dried fruits, caramel, dark chocolate, golden toffee and slightly drier floral smoke all vie for your attention. The 25 years spent in oak have not diminished its personality and this whisky is also surprisingly sweet and vibrant, alongside its astonishing depth. ‘Best Spirit in the World’ 2013 International Spirits Journal, Paul Pacult. Tasting Notes by Highland Park

Deep and complex, wonderful HP.

Although it states "new bottle design" for 2012 it was in fact a new bottle design for the 2007 release https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/34416/highland-park-25-year-old that was bottled at 48.1% abv. The 2012 release was the first of many different batches at 45.7% abv. And that first release in 2012 at 45.7% abv doesn't mean that all HP 25yo of 45.7% abv are bottled in 2012. Unfortunately HP doesn't do anything to indicated the different batches that have come out over the last six years. The HP 25yo I believe was released annually from 2012-2018 and I would estimate that the 30yo HPs of the same abv 45.7% had 3-5 different batches over the years starting in 2012 -2018, as well I've personally seen difference in colour between two bottles of the same 45.7% abv. Although it's well known that almost every year there was new bottles hitting the market at higher prices points in accordance with each new batch release. There is no discernible markings or stamp dating to indicate batch differences like with the Glendronach core range releases. One really needs to have two different batches to compare the colour difference, if you see a HP 25yo and its more gold colour with very little hint of amber that's the one that I had and rated an 87 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/79566 , the darker one is a shade or two darker and you would definitely notice it being amber in colour to a certain degree. Although an 87 is not a bad mark but it is when there are many different batches sitting on store shelves at $750cnd and one does not know exactly what quality of batch one is getting.

very excellent blend of smoke, sweetness. very good whiskybase. too bad this version is replaced by a new bottling. gonna be missing it!

Color: Chestnut / Oloroso Sherry Like headphones out of my pocket, I give up. Complex or complex, the name is well deserved. 92 points

22 21 22 22 87 good, but not like before, not the same expression, not the same emotions.... WB125865 and WB316 were better IMHO! second attempt: 22 21+ 22+ 22 88 sherry wooden cucumbers on a highland park field, for those who understand) It's good, drinkable, a little watery for me in taste, but of course I find fault, it's delicious!)

Tasted blind and it reminded me more of an old highland single malt. Surely not complaining here

After the intense smoke when I first try last year (with Glencairn), this HP25 opens up very good (with tulip glass). This is those oldies but not too oaky kinds of whisky, which is getting harder to find. A good dram while waiting for our new gov to form... something balance with slight towards complex sweetness is just perfect for the night. A good leap from 89 to 91 for me!

Highland Park as I like it.

A late 2012 release of Highland Park`s fantastic 25 year old whisky. A mix of ex-sherry and bourbon cask matured whisky to balance honey with rich fruit, as well as a lick of the distilleries trademark Orcadian peatiness.

I am spoilt!

Veeery nice - this is a great example of a very good HP. One of my favorites. Fantastic!

He needs a lot of time in the glass. After pouring in, I was amazed how little there is. With a little time the malt opens. In the taste unfortunately a little too lax for a toppaint. Even the finish could be longer and more intense ...

Top Whisky, where 400 € are for that far beyond good and evil. The 2006 bottling (WID: 316) really got me off the hook a few years ago, that was an experience, but in comparison, this one is as cozy as it gets.

reckon the best of the core range below 40yo. rather impressive. seem this version has been discontinued.

I have to say this malt deserves its good reputation. Simply a fantastically balanced, complex and elegant whisky that lacks intensity and character in the subtlest way. Nothing pumped up, just an excellently matured malt that unfortunately no longer exists today or only at such horrendous prices.

Tobacco, toffee, dark fruits, herbs, nice balanced sherry

I'm not sure which bottling year this is, same abv 45.7%, and very nice.

This is ridiculous good whisky On the nose wonderful vanilla/honey later cinnamon spices and chocolate The palate is very gentle, no alcohol burn or taste just a great combo of sweet fruit, nice gentle oak and a bit of peatsmoke at the long finish Great stuff

The Highland Park 25 is on the menu for today. Not quite legendary status yet but this is one of the most loved HP's in modern times. In the category; try before you die. The nose is a true delight; heather honey, overripe fruit, very slight peat, graham crackers, milk chocolate, butterscotch and a touch of dusty-musty basement or dunnage. I love that last note. On the palate, it's a little stingy with an acidic edge. That's what I always get with Highland Park. Heather honey, distant bonfire, overripe fruit, salt, chocolate, butterscotch, oak and a touch of pepper. Subtle sherry cask influence with mainly ex-bourbon notes. Works very well. On the finish, it echoes and becomes a bit dry with a more intense heather and smoke. I've spent quite some time with this bottle now as it's slowly coming to an end. Good harmony, love the oldschool touch although it lacks that 'extra mile' for legendary status. My favourite HP so far (together with WB167553) but I don't think I'll ever truly love them. Perhaps dropping a few thousand bucks on a real legendary HP could change that opinion, haha.

Highland Park frenzy 21.05.2025-23.05.2025 #2nd night Highland Park 18-year-old https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/137869 86 Highland Park 1989 CA https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/29667 88+ Highland Park 25-year-old https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/79566 89+ Highland Park 1991 SMWS 4.237 https://www.whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/102720 92-

This whisky deserves a high score. You can't really compare it to its younger 18 year old sibling, because there is so much more sherry influence here. What I can say is that it is a bold whisky, with big aromas and flavors, but with a nose that is also complex and has some nice subtle elements.

For a first-fill sherry finish, I have almost no fruit, that was in the 2007er execution still andes. Here the barrel outweighs, which is in no case negative.

Honey and apricots galore. Just fantastic! Not sure if I'm the only one but after having tasted also a sample of the Highland Park 30yo I actually prefer the 25yo over it and it is even available at a much lower price (about half the price).

This dram takes work to fully appreciate but it gives hours of entertainment yet is more cerebral in appeal than visceral. I fully enjoyed its complexity and rate it highly but it does not rank in my top drams and does not give itself up willingly enough thus lessening the enjoyment. 89.

Nose: Rich, intense, leather and spices. Palate: Dried fruit, vanilla, honey, and sea salt. Finish: Long and spicy. Oranges, figs and caramel. very nice complexity. IMHO, best among the core range. However, discontinued recently and replaced with new 2019 version. Prices have unfortunately gone up as well...

The epitome of complexity and power. The hint of smoke completes the finish almost to perfection. I recommend pouring 2-3 ounces, letting this whisky breathe for at least 15 minutes in a glass before starting your evaluation. It will evolve in your glass over the next hour.

I had waited a long time for this. The closed bottle on the shelf at home I was looking for cheap samples. Now I was lucky that André had done it shortly before Corona. So it was finally possible for me to devote enough time to the "King of HP" with sufficiently large rehearsals. From here, a big thank you to Whisky Evening ;)

- an absolutely great top malt from the island of Orkney - very complex and damn delicious - unfortunately very limited and significantly increased in price - about 600 - 700 € is already a damn high house number to enjoy it...

Fantastic! Absolutely on the level of its predecessors, maybe even better in some respects. Less brisk, but rounder.

awesome stuff - on the evening you do not need to do anything else :)

Very balanced of peat smoke and sweetness, nice integration of oaks infused tannins. Very good HP25. There seem to be a new 2019 version out. Wished HP will continuing bottling this classic 25yo, maybe with a higher ABV. otherwise it is excellent whisky.

Lovely lemony nose full of that Orkney peat, mild sweetness on the tongue with some gentle smoke. Complex yet nicely balanced. Very wonderful HP25.

This sweet, salty, brine, oak is amazing, it checks soo many boxes, any critique is simply knit picking. From start to finish this is well made. Turn the brain off and just enjoy!

Amazing complexity on all sorts of red fruits, herbs and tertiary aromas.

03-10-2025

A very fine HP, multi-layered, full of flavors, very balanced and simply delicious! (In direct comparison with my favorite drop of HP, the Highland Park 30y, 45.7%, WID: 43729, he has to give in all the way, he just plays in a different league.)

It has a lot to offer ... but do not give it a whiff, but serve it bit by bit, bit by bit, so that you can take your time with the aroma research. A gentleman.

This remains a top notch official distillery bottle.. please HP, stop the Viking saga and go back to these releases...

N- 97 T- 98 F -97 Personally, the best in the core range up to 30yo.

Filigree, beautifully graduated aromas, impressive!

Highland Park 25yo. Double measure at the Waldorf, Aldwych. I would not usually order premium whisky in a hotel bar, not being on a hedge fund manager's salary, but the price of this was surprisingly low on my visit. Short review with Teresa. Aroma is oaky, aromatic wood, vanilla and toffee. Taste has loads of bourbon character, vanilla and toffee-honey, oak and soft smoke, embers. Nice and oaky and rich with soft smoke finishing it off - great balance. A nice Highland Park expression - like a suped-up richer version of their (current) 12yo. Enjoyable. 3.75/89

Yesterday I had the opportunity to enjoy this Nectar of the Gods (thank you Max) perfectly balanced HP - all for 23

This bottling of 25 year old Highland Park single malt is made with whisky taken from ex-sherry and bourbon casks and bottled at 45.7% abv, slightly lower than previous 25 year old expressions from the Orkney distillery. It was awarded 100 points out of 100 at the 2013 Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York

I like this one but it doesn't match its current over £300 price. I bought mine at £167 which was more in line with the contents.

a tension from the nose to the finish he impresses with a beautiful interweaving of distillery character and barrel the share of Ex-Bourbon Cask has done its part warm and complex with a well-defined aroma game - a seducer Yes! I'm in Heaven - 92 out of 100 points _______________________________ if anyone wants to know what barrel chocolate is: barrel notes like chocolate, a bit rough and dry, almost like cocoa powder, a transparent taste not as solid as chocolate

Conclusion and pictures on: https://tomtrinkt.de

Jim Murray has awarded 96 points to the Highland Park 25 year old.

A great, noble, mature Highland Park - wonderful multi-layered - a top whisky! [Color] dark amber;

It's hard to find words that do this single malt justice. For many connoisseurs, Highland Park 25 is the Holy Grail of the distillery's official bottlings, and rightly so. I could literally spend hours with my nose in the Glencairn. Dark fruits, white chocolate and juicy oranges take turns with spices, cocoa beans and rummy notes. An explosion of sweet, dry and peppery flavors coats the palate while being perfectly balanced and complex at the same time. Distant hints of smoke remain of a prolonged, sweet and spicy finish. This Orcadian whisky is liquid gold! RATING: 4.7/5.0 stars ≙ 93 pts → SUPERB [+]

One of the most complete and smooth whiskies, I have ever tasted.

An excellent combination of bourbon and sherry casks, a very wide palette of woody notes. 2/3/3/3

Probably my favorite official 25-year-old. Only Glengoyne can come close. In comparison with the earlier, 48.1% version (bottled from 2006-2012), this one is brighter, with more American oak and creamy marzipan on the nose. The earlier version is exclusively drawn from sherry casks and consequently "darker" in the character and more influenced by European oak. Quality-wise, the two bottlings play in the same league, though. It depends on your personal preference which one (if any) you prefer. I like them both equally well – the older bottling may be richer and more satisfying on the palate, but the newer one boasts a more interesting nose.

Tasted on Fri 22nd Mar 2024 at Highland Park Distillery as part of an East Coast Whisky ‘Secret Orkney’ Tour (https://www.eastcoastwhisky.com). Comment: Tasted at the distillery; Russell Anderson still in charge at this point. Colour: Light mahogany gold.

While Highland Park is known for its balanced approach to smoke and sherry, the 25-year-old expression sometimes feels like it doesn’t quite justify its premium price. Some critics feel the peat influence is too faint compared to younger expressions like the 18-year-old, making it less distinct than expected.

Sublime.

Nose sweet, rich, mature oak,chocolate, fudge. Soft honey and nutty toffee taste. Rich long sweet finish

This is the result of an HP tasting yesterday:- 1st -highland-park-30-year-old 48.1% 2nd - highland-park-30-year-old 45.7% 3rd highland-park-25-year-old 48.1% 4th - highland-park-25-year-old 45.7% 5th - highland-park-18-year-old 43% 6th - highland-park-21-year-old 47.5% The 30 year 48.1% is the best but there is little between the 25 year and 30 year offerings.   The 18 year is good and better value than the 21 year.

the "Holy Grail" of the older core range.

A special drop for special moments with special people, nothing for everyday life. The elegance and complexity of the first nose evaporates over time. After 2 months he's just a shadow of himself. If he's the holy grail of the still, he's now the rabbit with the hand grenade from The Knights of the Coconut

At least half the price of the 30-year-old? Its just as good as the former. This one shows more berries and a meat flavor profile.

N: intense, honey, some Christmas spices, raisins, dry oak, leather, something waxy, loses intensity over time. G: Interplay between sweet/honey/orange and wood/spices/tannins, slightly meaty, oily. A: round, soft, creamy, pleasant, the alcohol flashes a little here, but still a pleasant mouthfeel remains. Perhaps a little too pleasant and easy drinking for its age and price. Can be sipped away as is.

N: spices, old dusty wood, figs, smoke, cinnamon, syrup and orange T: smoke, spices, ginger, syrup, oatmeal and fruity F: fruity, sweet sherry and mint tasted with www.whiskyclubspakenburg.nl

A gentle expression of Highland Park.

Just awesome.

Tasting Notes: https://whiskycuse.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/highland-park-25-yo-ob-2013/

Great stuff, lovely on the palate with great balance but I think the old dumpy bottles are very slightly better and the later 50.7% version but there is very little in it. Lets see what the 48.1% 2006 bottles tastes like next.

mild smoke, coastal, some sweetness, very well-balanced, some complexity, lingering finish. wished the abv a bit higher.

Sophisticated and delicious whisky, whose profile, however, is somehow too standard for my taste. I just miss that special thing that could take me somewhere and make me fall in love. The nose becomes twice as complex with a few drops of water, but this seriously compromises the mouth experience, so you have to choose. I have quite comprehensive notes, but at least for now I prefer not to publish them and stick to my summary format.

Today in the line up it has reached 91P.

N22 P22 F22 B22

Had a sample of this stuff from bottle bought in KZ, seems to be bottled in 2011. There's something wrong with this Park, or it's not a Park at all.... Some average sherry mass-market, either fake or bad storage, but something has definitely gone wrong... No mark

S 6.5 Savoured with a blender’s glass. Idk maybe the sample has been tampered with? My tasting experience, especially the palate, doesn’t echo with many other notes here. The nose is perfectly fine, but the palate feels overaged and the oak tannin has taken control of what's going forward. 86-90 - A to-share bottle

Extremely balanced and aromatically convincing. Great composition, the alcohol is almost imperceptible, it is so well integrated into the sweet and fruity whole.

Sweet, round, light woody aroma. Dry, spicy.

Refined and complex whisky. Compared to the HP18 it is definitely less fruity and sweet, it is spicier and more sherried instead. I like that isn't buried in sherry though, it has a 'clear' mouthfeel, adding to its complexity.

It is hard to fault whisky when its this good. Excellent.

Best HP I've tasted so far.

A+

I'm aloof in first contact.

[February, 2021] Another different batch of the (usually) excellent 25-years old Highland Park, so far I enjoyed all of them... ...and this legacy does not change. This is very quaffable stuff, actually it is dangerously quaffable (dangerous both to your health and your wallet). What else to say? Slàinte!