Highland Park Full Volume 1999

Thanks for the review. I saw this at my local liquor store and thought about it for a few weeks. It seemed a bit gimmicky to me, so I passed on it. While your review sounds relatively favourable, I’m glad I didn’t drop $130 on it. Doesn’t sound like I would have been happy with this particular purchase.

yes, but this is the sign o' the times. $120 can only get you that much today... i prefer HP with the sherry TBH

@galg That’s why I’m thankful I found Connosr. I’ve discovered a world of Canadian Whisky and bourbon/American whiskey (beyond JD, Jim Beam and Bulleit). The value for money of scotch simply isn’t there most of the time. But even comparing scotch to scotch I feel there are many scotch whiskies I would personally enjoy more than this one at the same price point or lower.

agreed. if you're a fan of American / Canadian whisky, that's much better price wise. it's very hard to find well priced scotch these days, sadly.

In contrast, you can get a couple of cask strength Amrut expressions for under $100 Canadian in Alberta.

really? amrut is also very expensive, for what it is - young INDIAN malt. if u knew how low the wages of people working there... it should cost 1/2.

@Nozinan Oh Alberta ! If it wasn't for all the Albertans, it would be the perfect place to live ! I kid, I kid. One of my favourite uncles lives in Calgary !

well, seems whisky prices are now better in Israel.;) i have family in QC, and SAQ are quite expensive as I can see. i do not like the monopoly concept...

True, but there still are some gems to be found! Depending on where you live I guess

This is the first time I’ve even seen a label tout the chillfiltration.

Apologies to anyone who already saw me make this point on the MyAnnoyingOpinions blog. I still think it's weird.

@galg If you look at price for QUALITY, Amrut is actually quite good value.

Of course in that climate, maturation occurs more quickly. The over a dozen expressions I've tried have had complexity beyond their years.

As for labour practices, I'm not familiar with those details, but I do understand that the company has avoided mechanization and has provided many jobs for the local community. I admit that I don't know how well those jobs pay but I am hesitant to label the company a corporate meanie without evidence.

@OdysseusUnbound If it is actually a 17 or 18 year old $130 is not a bad price. The regular 18 is currently running over $200 in BC. I would be game to try an all bourbon cask matured older HP.

@BlueNote For $4 less, I can get a 16 year old Lagavulin, which is one of my favourite whiskies. I'm not saying $130 CAD isn't good VFM for a 17 year old scotch, I'm saying I would be disappointed paying $130 and getting the flavours described here. They seem fine, but when I cross the $100 CAD barrier, I'm expecting to be wowed IF I'm ever to buy that whisky again. There are a lot of great whiskies for under $100, that I try not to go over that amount if at all possible.

• Side note: There are currently a few bottles of Glenfarlcas 21 near me for $147. That seems very inexpensive for a 21 year old. Any thoughts on Farclas 21?

@OdysseusUnbound Yeah, I take your point on the HP. I'm with you on the $100 mark. As for the Farclas, I have had a miniature of the 21 and didn't find it at all exceptional. I still think the 15 is the sweet spot and the best VFM in the Farclas range.

@OdysseusUnbound Speaking of Highland Park. I was in the liquor store today and it looks like the 12 has been re-packaged and is now called Viking Honour. It still has a 12 year age statement and is 43%. Is this the OB 12 or is it something else. There was no sign of the old 12 year old.

@BlueNote Yup, this is the new “standard” 12. I wondered (like Serge from Whiskyfun did) if the “Viking Honour” was a precursor to dropping the age statement. I went so far as to email HP and they told me they ”have no intention of dropping the 12 Year old from the core range.” Now perhaps I’m just incredibly cynical, but you know what they say about good intentions...

@OdysseusUnbound Nothing wrong with a bit of healthy cynicism. It's what separates us from the lumpen proletariat.

I would wager one of the Laphroaig 10 CSs in my stash that this "Vkiing Honour" business does indeed mean that HP12 will no longer exist in a year or so.

@MadSingleMalt That would be my guess.

Actually, this sounds like it's in my wheelhouse. I love good bourbon barrel scotches, so if I can get it at a reasonable price, I would jump on it. Not as excited by peaters anymore, and most of what I buy now is Highland or Speyside with mainly bourbon aging. Adored Glenlivet Nadurra 16, and most people only rated that 87. (Still have one last bottle of that gem.)

@Taco With you on the Nadurra 16, an under the radar gem. Also looking forward to the HP Full Volume which has yet to appear in western Canada.