Highland Park 12 Year Old: the Ideal Entry-Level Whisky for a Subtle Introduction to Peat (Review)

Highland Park Distillery in the Scottish Highlands has a reputation for releasing gently smoky whiskies with a touch of heather. The range, including Highland Park 12 Years Old, recently underwent a revamp in both packaging and name. But what about the whisky’s flavor? In this Highland Park 12 Year Old review, you’ll discover what this single malt is all about.

Highland Park Distillery sits in the north of Orkney. The distillery’s history is closely intertwined with Viking lore, which used to be evident in the look of most Highland Park bottles.

Recently, the distillery changed this up to create a more stylish and neutral appearance. Several whiskies also received new names. For example, Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour is now simply Highland Park 12 Years. The Vikings have laid down their arms, and the whisky can speak for itself.

In this case, the distillery crafted a whisky from peated malt. The peat comes from Hobbister Moor, where heather grows in abundance. The spirit then matured for 12 years, predominantly in European and American first-fill and refill sherry-seasoned casks. It was ultimately bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume.

The result is a single malt whisky that, according to the distillery, is “like Orkney naturally a little different.”

The new Highland Park bottles are a complete departure from previous designs. Where the entire bottle once featured a busy Viking-style motif, it’s now sleek and understated. The Viking artwork is gone, leaving just the Highland Park logo gleaming on the glass, along with “made in Orkney.”

The distillery made a bold change, and stylistically it works. The bottle looks elegant with its white cap, which also carries the logo in gold.

As for the label and box, the redesign is a smart move toward sustainability. The box is made from leftover materials and includes fragments of heather. Its woodgrain-inspired design adds a nice touch to an otherwise minimalist package.

The best way to describe the box and label is “different.” They’re certainly not unattractive, but neither was the previous design.

The golden nectar in the bottle hasn’t been altered by the distillery. On the nose, the whisky offers a delicate smokiness, with floral tones appearing right from the first sniff. You’ll also pick up honey, citrus fruits, and the scent of ripe apricot.

On the palate, the 12-year-old Highland Park presents ripe fruit notes, fresh orange and fruit gums, layered with a spicy character led by cinnamon. It’s not truly smoky until you reach the finish.

Only then does a small hint of the whisky’s peated character emerge, along with a subtle wood note. Unfortunately, the finish is quite short, and the wood and peat never quite push to the forefront.

Fans of heavily peated whiskies may not get their fix with this Highland Park whisky, the smoke is that subtle. That may disappoint some, but for those looking to explore smoky whisky, this bottle is an excellent starting point. And the new look is a hit, even if it’s a shame that the Viking storytelling has largely disappeared.

+ A great whisky for discovering peat

+ The new packaging looks fantastic

+ Well-priced for a dependable shelf staple

- The finish is short