Introduction
Highland Park 18 Year Old is a bottle I’ve had on my list for quite a while. I'd tried the 12 year old some time ago, and while I enjoyed it, many people told me the 18 is where things really click. So when the opportunity came to sit with a dram in a quiet setting, I took it. I went in expecting balance and depth with that subtle smoky edge that’s become Highland Park’s signature.
Nose
From the start, there’s a gentle richness. Layers come forward slowly—first honey and dried apricots, then a noticeable wave of heather and old wood. A faint puff of smoke lingers underneath, not dominant, but enough to add interest. Some orange peel and warm spice join in after sitting for a bit. It’s well-mannered and inviting, not forceful but rewarding if you take your time.
Palate
The whisky arrives smoothly. It has a medium-weight feel—neither oily nor thin—and moves across the tongue with calm confidence. Right away I get a mix of toffee and soft oak, followed by subtle smoke and some herbal notes that remind me of damp moss. Mid-palate there's a shift toward richer fruit: spiced plums and raisin bread. Everything feels in balance: sweetness, spice, oak, and just a hint of dry peat.
Finish
The finish is where the age really shows itself. It lingers more through warmth than intensity, delivering toasted nuts, black tea, and a drying woodiness that encourages another sip. The smoke becomes more noticeable here but never aggressive. It fades gently after a good minute or more, leaving behind a slightly sweet echo.
Price and Value
This isn't a budget bottle, and prices vary depending on where you’re buying. That said, I do think Highland Park 18 offers fair value for what you're getting—especially if you prefer whiskies with natural balance and quiet complexity over bold statements. There’s no flash here, just consistent quality and well-aged character.
Background
Highland Park comes from Orkney, technically Scottish islands but often grouped with Highland whiskies due to geography and style. What sets them apart is their use of local peat and sherry cask maturation, which gives their malts a distinctive profile—soft smoke, herbal tones, and sweet spice. The 18 year old is matured primarily in European oak sherry casks, which makes a clear impact on the flavour.
You can find more about the distillery's methods at the official Highland Park website.
Final Notes
Would I buy this bottle again? I likely would—especially to have something dependable on hand that offers complexity without needing to be 'special occasion' exclusive. It’s good enough to impress but familiar enough to relax with.
Is Highland Park 18 approachable for someone new to single malt? I think so, particularly if that person is open to trying a whisky that isn’t either heavily smoky or overly sweet. Its balance makes it a solid entry into the nuanced side of well-aged Scotch.
As for the best kind of moment for this whisky, I’d say a quiet evening suits it best—preferably one that allows time to appreciate it slowly. It's not a party whisky, but it’s a great companion for a reflective mood.
Compared to other Orkney or Highland drams, Highland Park 18 holds its own well. It sits in a nice middle ground: richer than the 12 year old, more elegant than some of its contemporaries, and more understated than peated colleagues from Islay. A very respectful showing from Orkney.