Introduction
I’ve been curious about Highland Park 18 Year Old for some time. I generally enjoy whiskies from the islands, especially when there's a touch of peat that's not too overpowering. This one has a reputation for balance — a quality I really value in a dram — so I was looking forward to sitting down with it for a quiet evening tasting. Expectations were measured, though, as aged single malts often carry higher price tags and don’t always justify them. I went in with an open mind and a clean palate.
Nose
The first thing that struck me on the nose was how composed it felt. There was soft heather smoke in the background, more restrained than assertive, paired with sweet aromas of dried apricot and orange peel. A little air brought out richer notes – raisins and honeyed cereal, perhaps from the sherry cask influence. There was a subtle mineral edge too, faintly coastal, grounding the sweetness and adding depth. It all came together without being overly complex or showy.
Palate
On the palate, the first sip confirmed what the nose hinted at: balance is the driving force here. There’s a pleasing creaminess to the texture, with flavors unfolding steadily. I tasted spiced fruitcake, some mocha bitterness, and a touch of heather honey. The smoke was woven in — more of an atmospheric presence than a dominant flavor — and it lingered gently without overtaking the rest. There's enough oak to give it structure, with dry spice and a touch of leather in the mid-palate, but nothing feels too pushed. It’s not bold, but it’s self-assured.
Finish
The finish is medium to long and tapers off gradually. I got lingering dried fruit and soft clove, along with a faint ember-like smokiness. It never turns bitter or overly tannic — instead, there’s a warm, slightly earthy character that stays with you. After a few minutes, I noticed a whisper of salted caramel in the aftertaste, which was a pleasant surprise. It left me with the sense of a whisky that knows exactly what it is — no flashiness, just solid craftsmanship.
Price and Value
This bottle sits in a higher price bracket due to its age, and while it's certainly not inexpensive, I found the quality consistent with the cost. You’re paying for subtlety, balance, and maturity rather than showy intensity or novelty finishes. That makes it less of an everyday pour and more of an occasional dram for when you’re taking your time. For those who appreciate well-integrated peat and sherry character without extremes, I think it delivers fair value.
Background
Highland Park comes from Kirkwall on Orkney — one of Scotland’s northernmost whisky-producing areas. The distillery has built a reputation around its lightly peated style, using local peat rich in heather, which offers a gentler flavor than the medicinal or iodine-heavy peats found in Islay malts. The 18 Year Old is aged primarily in European oak sherry casks, which lends much of the dried fruit and spice character I encountered during my tasting. You can find more about the distillery's process and heritage at the Highland Park website.
Final Notes
Would I buy this bottle again? Yes, although I’d likely save it for evenings when I want a contemplative pour with understated complexity. It’s not a whisky that demands attention but rather rewards it. For someone new to peat or single malts, it might not be the obvious starting point, but for drinkers ready to explore a nuanced island expression, it’s approachable.
I’d say this dram fits well in quiet moments — think fireside evenings or a small circle of fellow whisky fans. Compared to other island whiskies like Talisker or Ledaig, this one leans less on maritime salinity and more on dried fruit and balance. If you're into whiskies that feel aged and settled without being too heavy, the Highland Park 18 could be worth your time.