Highland Park 21 - worth the $$$ ?

Hi Jules, I'll ring in here to try and help you. You know the normal answers: it depends on your taste, you can't universally define worth it, etc. I just took a taste to remind myself, and the HP21 (same abv) is great for me and I have no regrets buying it for 150eur. In my opinion, it is characterized by being: balanced in the sense of (that word people don't like) 'smooth', sherried in a light way (like biting a red grape), and not much else for "character" else unless you get really poetic. (Unlike other HPs, 18 and younger) I don't detect peat, and I find lack of woodspice; just smooth balanced enjoyment. Think in the direction of: Glenfarclas 21, Old Pulteney 21 (why all 21?), Arran 16&18, the Sonnalta, Overeem sherry, maybe Aberlour 18. I like that style and find it a great representative of its kind. I would not buy a second bottle for 190eur, but would I have bought my first bottle for that much? The advantages are that it's an OB and well-reviewed, easy to know what you're getting so no risk; and if you're an HP fan you probably can't help yourself. I think for the same amount of money, I prefer other bottles, for example Glendronach single casks or (another debatable one for its price) my Auchentoshan Solera. Those just come to mind, not to say they are similar.

So in summary, I think there are better alternatives at 190eur, but you should get the HP21 if you think it's exactly "your kind of malt".

@vanPelt Thanks for your insight, that’s actually a great help – I guess am looking for a more complex & higher ABV version of the HP18, and judging from your experience the 21yo is NOT that at all… if you don’t detect (much) peat then it’s not what I’m looking for. And I certainly don’t want another GlenDronach or Aberlour 18. I want the (mild)sherry/honey/pepper//peat combo that the HP18 gave, but stronger, basically.

I’ll have to re-evaluate and look at other options. Either indie HP’s or Glen Scotia perhaps. I can’t think of too many other distilleries that offer a similar profile to Highland Park’s more mature OB’s…

I figured that you might be looking for those qualities you now mention; and I definitely don't think this HP21 fits your description. If you're looking at OBs in this price range, then I think you should consider some other highly reviewed lightly-peated whiskies: Bowmore Springtide, Benriach Authenticus 25, or Springbank 18. All should fit your bill. Figuratively and literally.

That's quite a bit of coinage - recommend trying to source indies that have been matured in sherry casks.

@sengjc Yes I have my eye on a HP Signatory Vintage (single sherry cask) release... but not sure I can fork out that much without first tasting it! :-)

@vanPelt Instead of buying it I got hold of a miniature (5cl) for a decent price. Your remarks were spot-on! It is gorgeous stuff, no doubt, but not what I was looking for. I miss the peppery peat in the finish that the old 18yo offered. Having said that it is a lovely dram… one for after dinner by the fire at X-mas I think.

@Jules Thanks, that's fantastic to hear your follow-up (and validation of my input!-- you can never be too sure). Good luck with your continuing search...

@vanPelt Search is over, actually :-) I found a 25yo Bunna' from 1989 bottled by Signatory at an open tasting this weekend and it was just the ticket! Mature, peated & honeyed Bunnahabain... absolutely perfect.

I'd advise any Scotch enthusiast to source some indie Bunna, there is great stuff out there. Nothing wrong with the standard stuff, but some of the older vintage indies offer an extra dimension not found in the OB's.