Highland Park Dark Origins: what are your impressions?

[maverickdrinker]

Thinking about picking up a bottle of Highland Park Dark Origins and was wondering if anyone has tasted it yet? If so, what were your impressions? Worth picking up or better to pick up a bottle of Highland Park 12.

Thanks for your input

[shlomo]

Sherry and peat are not my favorite combination. I find it hot and rough. If you like the 12, stick with it imo. Personally I prefer the 18, although the value is not there for me.

[srbbones]

I'm not sure if this is a fair answer, but: I went to the liquor store with the idea of buying this. Free tastings. I tasted this high west, and I ended up buying 2 bottles of High West mid winters night dram. It was that much better, imho

[shlomo]

I'm not sure if this is a fair answer, but: I went to the liquor store with the idea of buying this. Free tastings. I tasted this high west, and I ended up buying 2 bottles of High West mid winters night dram. It was that much better, imho

Same thing happened to me. I had 3 bottles in my cart, free tasting, immediately put 2 back and picked up a Kilchoman instead.

[Guest rob]

I bought Bunnahabhain 12 instead. I do love a Highland Park with age though.

[ayepatz]

Stick with the 12 for as long as you can get it.

[cottierm]

Hi Art,

I tried it in Belgium during the holidays and didn't like it, but tastes ...

My advice would be to try to test it before buying a bottle.

All the best,

Michel

[Lotusguy]

Stick with the 12 for as long as you can get it.

Agreed. Much better than the NAS and cheaper as well (in my neck of the woods anyway).

[maverickdrinker]

Thanks for the input guys. Appreciate it. I think I will stick with continuing to buy the 18 and try a bottle of the 12.

[shlomo]

You have never tried the 12?

[spicycorona]

I think the HP 18 is underrated. A week before Christmas a bottle was available for 99. At that price it's one of the best values I have ever seen.

How does the Dark Origins compare?

[shlomo]

I think the HP 18 is underrated. A week before Christmas a bottle was available for 99. At that price it's one of the best values I have ever seen.

How does the Dark Origins compare?

18- $200

12- $70

DO- $100

Cdn dollars

[Upmann2009]

Hp18 special for $150AUD - this post make me want one or maybe a few..

[sengjc]

The peat in Highland Park is not as pronounced as others from Islay - I find that it actually works well with sherry cask maturation. Some of the best bottlings of Highland Park that I have had the pleasure to try have a high proportion of sherry matured malts in the blend make-up.

The Dark Origins has a subtler peat in its profile with the sherry actually being more pronounced yet not overpowering the Highland Park signature heather-honey. While I find it to be good in general, in Australia, this bottling is independently imported hence it can retail more than the Highland Park 18 Year Old. Thus it does not present as a value for money proposition.

[Phinz]

I picked up a bottle back in the fall, as it was on discount ($65, I think, where it's normally $80). I found it to be an interesting blend and very drinkable, but I'm not a fan. To my mind, the peat and sherry just didn't meld and were always competing for your attention. With a normal price of $80, I'd instead choose both a Ardbeg 10 and a Glenmorangie Lasanta for around the same price, and keep my sherry and peat separated.