Comments on: Highland Park to release Global Travel Retail range of whiskies

By: Highland Park 12yo 1997 Vintage « WhiskyBrother

Highland Park 12yo 1997 Vintage « WhiskyBrother — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:25:17 +0000

[...] This has an emphasis on American oak ex-sherry casks but also has refill European ex-sherry casks in the vatting. It’s style is meant to be closely related to the 16yo and 21yo HPs – which is a concern for me as the 21yo is excellent, but I’m not particularly fond of the 16yo. This expression was released in July 2009, exclusively for travel retail, but is not part of the core travel retail range that was recently released, details on What Does John Know. [...]

By: Highland Park 1994 Vintage Edition: Tasting Notes and Review | Whisky Party

Highland Park 1994 Vintage Edition: Tasting Notes and Review | Whisky Party — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:33:42 +0000

[...] however, unlike the TripleWood, I don’t think you’ll have a hard time locating these HP vintages once you make your way into any World Travel Retail shop. Whisky vintaged from the U.N. [...]

By: mongo

mongo — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 02:15:53 +0000

i’m drinking some of the 1998 right now (a friend picked it up for me from world of whiskies a few weeks ago). a nice, easy drinking whisky. tastes a little thinner than the regular 12 year old, and given the sherry emphasis there’s no surprise that it’s less balanced. not essential by any means but not bad at all (i’d probably rate it in the low-middle 80s).

quite a wonderful nose, not quite matched on the palate. i am detecting slightly bitter woody notes on the finish along with the mild smoke that makes its way through the sweet top-notes (with a drop of water added; have not yet had it neat).

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:06:57 +0000

It does seem likely that the first three of the set would be better at a higher percentage and NCF’d, and it seems plausible that stock issues played a role in the decision making.

Could it also be that accessibility to scotch for those who buy in the travel retail market played a role? That’s not a rhetorical question. I don’t know the patterns and I wonder. I’m willing to guess that accessibility played a role for those more affordable bottles.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:45:43 +0000

I agree with the missed opportunity – especially considering the pricing on some – and I wonder if its just a matter of available stocks.

I just don’t like the whole travel retail construct – too many offerings that those of us not jetting around internationally miss out on. Last time I was in JFK, Terminal 5, best offering in Duty Free was Old Parr 18 – nothing too exciting. Oh well, rant over…

By: Andrew Ferguson

Andrew Ferguson — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:38:59 +0000

It is disappointing to see that Highland Park hasn’t gone in the non-chillfiltered 46% route. This is a lost opportunity to put this iconic brand on a path that consumers are increasingly demanding. If Glenmorangie can do it with their “Extra Matured” range, why can’t Highland Park?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:15:58 +0000

John @1: “from April/May 2010″

Hope your brother is able to make himself useful!

By: David

David — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:45:18 +0000

Does anyone know if they are availabe at Heathrow yet, my brother is flying through in a few weeks and want him to pick up a bottle for me. Thanks.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:36:59 +0000

Looking forward to your thoughts on the whiskies (all in good time). I quite liked their 16yr in travel retail. Leave it to HP to introduce a range of prices as well as whiskies, and here’s to them.

By: Oliver Klimek

Oliver Klimek — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:58:39 +0000

This looks quite interesting, and the pricing at least for the 1998 is rather reasonable. But still at 40% for the 3 younger ones. Dont’ they get the message?

Will these replace the current travel retail series or will they be an addition to the range?

By: Gal

Gal — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:47:31 +0000

a pleasure!
HP rocks.

By: John Hansell

John Hansell — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:10:52 +0000

One more thing from the press release: The Duty Free recommended retail prices are: 1998 Vintage €46 (1l), 1994 Vintage €65 (70cl), 1990 Vintage €99 (70cl) and 1973 Vintage €750 (70cl). The range will be available from April/May 2010.