Similar Whiskies to Highland Park

Last Updated on: 3rd May 2024, 07:34 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Subtle Smoke & Balance:

• Caol Ila 12: Smoky ham, apple, pear (unique Islay with smoky ham nose, creamy palate with red fruit, caramel, and lemon, long and smooth finish with gentle spice and smokiness).
• Oban 14: Gentle Smoke & Orchard Fruit (balanced malt, ripe fruit, orange peel on the nose, creamy palate with dried fruit, pear, apple, and spice, long and warming finish with oak and a touch of salt).

Lighter Smoke Delights:

• Bowmore 12: Smoke & Sunshine (bold smoky nose with pineapple and citrus, medium-bodied palate with ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, and subtle smoke, short finish with lingering smoke, minerals, and oak).
• Ardmore Legacy: Light & Smoky (smooth nose of citrus, fruit, and a touch of smoke, light-bodied with hints of smoke, caramel, vanilla, and minerals, short finish with smoke, caramel, salt, and spice).

Unique Smoky Experiences:

• Clynelish 14: Waxy & Wonderfully Balanced (delicate nose of citrus, spice, and smoke, unique waxy texture with pepper, honey, fruit, and subtle smoke, long and bittersweet finish with a mineral touch).
• Springbank 10: Complex & Coastal (rich nose of oak, spice, fruit, honey, and smoke, full-bodied and creamy with malt, citrus, berries, brine, and marzipan, long and smoky finish with toasted barley and caramel).

For the Sherry & Smoke Enthusiast:

• Bunnahabhain 12: Gentle Smoke & Sherry (surprising Islay dram with a smoky and gentle nose with raisins, prunes, and cocoa, smooth and sweet sherry and red fruit palate with oak spice, medium-length finish with nutty hints and lingering oak).

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Similar Whiskies & Best Alternatives to Highland Park: Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Caol Ila 12: Smoky & Balanced

• Nose: Smoked ham, apple, pear
• Palate: Red fruit, caramel, vanilla, lemon zest
• Finish: Long, smoke, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Caol Ila 12 offers a unique Islay experience. The nose mingles smoky ham with hints of apple and pear. The creamy palate surprises with red fruit, caramel, vanilla, and lemon. The finish is long, with a gentle spice, pleasant smokiness, and an earthy touch. Smooth and balanced, this single malt is a great intro to Islay with its subtle smoke, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Oban 14: Gentle Smoke & Orchard Fruit

• Nose: Ripe fruit, orange peel, smoke
• Palate: Dried fruit, pear, apple, cinnamon
• Finish: Long, oak, baking spice, salt
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Oban 14 entices with a nose of ripe fruit, citrus, and a hint of smoke. The creamy palate unfolds with dried fruit, pear, apple, and baking spices, gently kissed by smoke. The finish is long and warming, offering oak, spice, and a touch of salt. Enjoy neat or with water for a touch more sweetness and oak. This balanced malt offers a delightful smoky experience, perfect for those who prefer subtlety.

Bowmore 12: Smoke & Sunshine

• Nose: Smoke, pineapple, orange
• Palate: Ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, iodine
• Finish: Short, smoke, mineral, charred oak
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Bowmore 12 offers a bold smoky nose, balanced by tropical notes of pineapple and citrus. The medium-bodied palate reveals ripe fruit, honey, vanilla, and a hint of iodine, all accompanied by a subtle smoke presence. The finish is short, with lingering smoke, mineral notes, and a touch of oak. Enjoyable for those who prefer a lighter smoke dram.

Clynelish 14: Waxy & Wonderfully Balanced

• Nose: Citrus, baking spice, smoke
• Palate: Honey, pepper, ripe fruit, smoke
• Finish: Long, bittersweet, mineral
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Clynelish 14 opens with a delicate nose of citrus, spice, and a hint of smoke. The unique waxy texture coats the palate with pepper, honey, fruit, and subtle smoke. The long finish is bittersweet with a mineral touch. Enjoyable and approachable, this Highland malt offers a delightful balance of fruit, spice, and subtle smoke.

Bunnahabhain 12: Gentle Smoke & Sherry

• Nose: Light smoke, raisin, prune, cocoa
• Palate: Sherry, red fruit, oak spice
• Finish: Medium, roasted nuts, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Bunnahabhain 12 offers a surprising Islay dram. The nose is smoky but gentle, accompanied by raisins, prunes, and hints of cocoa. The creamy palate is smooth and sweet with sherry and red fruit, transitioning to mild oak spice. The finish is medium-length with nutty hints and lingering oak. Enjoy neat or with water for a sweeter, approachable dram.

Ardmore Legacy: Light & Smoky

• Nose: Citrus, smoke, fruit
• Palate: Smoke, citrus, vanilla, salt
• Finish: Short, smoke, caramel, salt
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Ardmore Legacy opens with a smooth nose of citrus, fruit, and a touch of smoke. The light-bodied palate is smooth and sweet with hints of smoke, caramel, vanilla, and minerals. The finish is short, offering lingering smoke, caramel, salt, and a touch of spice. Enjoyable for beginners seeking a mild and uncomplicated smoky dram.

Springbank 10: Complex & Coastal

• Nose: Oak, baking spice, ripe fruit, honey, smoke
• Palate: Malt, citrus, berries, brine, marzipan
• Finish: Smoke, toasted barley, caramel
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Springbank 10 entices with a rich nose of oak, spice, fruit, honey, and a hint of smoke. Full-bodied and creamy, the palate offers malt, citrus, berries, brine, and marzipan. The finish is long and smoky, with toasted barley and caramel notes. Smooth and complex with subtle smoke, this Campbeltown dram offers a coastal twist on a Speyside classic.

Highland Park 12: Floral & Light Smoke

• Nose: Floral, smoke, orange, honey
• Palate: Cereal, orange, green tea, smoke
• Finish: Long, oak, pepper
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Highland Park 12 offers a floral nose with citrus, honey, and a touch of smoke. The light-bodied palate is smooth and sweet with hints of iodine and honey. The finish is short and sweet with pepper, but water brings out more sweetness and meaty notes. This balanced malt is a good starter with light smoke and benefits from a splash of water.

Learn more: Highland Park 12 Website