Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:21 am
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.
Explore the contrasts between Springbank 18 and Highland Park 18 in this comprehensive comparison and decide which Single Malt better aligns with your preferences!
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.
Written by: J Highland
Springbank 18 vs Highland Park 18: Comparison
Springbank 18: Offers a rich and complex taste experience with a notable sherry influence, though some experts may find it lacks the expected depth for its price point.
Highland Park 18: Recognized for its smooth balance of smoke and sweetness, this whisky provides a top-tier drinking experience that’s both complex and approachable.
Verdict: Both whiskies showcase the skill and tradition of their distilleries. While preferences may vary based on individual taste, each provides a unique and enjoyable whisky experience, highlighting the diverse world of Scotch, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best 18-Year-Old Single Malts
Springbank 18: A Complex Dram with Subtle Sherry Influence
- Nose: Sherry, grape, mineral, vanilla
- Palate: Sherry, vanilla, fig, raisin, chocolate
- Finish: Long, oak spice, mineral
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Springbank 15
Aroma: Springbank 18 opens with enticing notes of sherry, ripe grapes, sweet cookie dough, and a touch of vanilla, offering a promising first impression.
Palate: The texture is thick and oily, delivering a pleasant mouthfeel. Flavors of sherry sweetness mingle with vanilla, caramel, dried fruits like figs and raisins, hints of dark chocolate, and subtle mineral and oak notes.
Finish: The finish has a lingering character, offering subtle warmth, oak spice, and a touch of salinity.
Overall: While Springbank 18 presents a complex flavor profile, some reviewers find it falls short of expectations, particularly considering the price point. Compared to other 18-year-old whiskies within its price range, the sherry influence might be perceived as less rich, potentially due to the use of refill casks instead of first-fill casks during maturation.
Comparison: The reviewer found the sherry influence to be less pronounced compared to Springbank’s 10 and 15-year-old expressions, leaving them with a preference for the younger options at a potentially better value.
Additional information:
- Aged in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, contributing to its diverse flavor profile.
- Unchillfiltered and uncolored, allowing the whisky’s natural character to shine through.
- Produced by Springbank Distillery, a family-owned operation established in 1828, known for performing every step of the whisky-making process on-site, from malting the barley to bottling the finished product.
Highland Park 18: A Top Scotch with Depth and Harmony
- Nose: Smoke, oak, floral
- Palate: Citrus, cinnamon, chocolate, honey, smoke
- Finish: Long, oak spice, smoke, chocolate
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Bowmore 18
Accolades: Highland Park 18 has garnered recognition from esteemed critic F Paul Pacult, named “Best Spirit in the World” by the Spirit Journal, making it a worthy addition to any whisky enthusiast’s shelf.
Aroma: The initial impression is one of peat, oak, and a surprising flourish of floral notes, creating a unique and inviting aroma.
Palate: While some may find the body slightly light, the flavor profile is undeniably complex. Citrus, cinnamon, chocolate, and honey mingle with a moderate smokiness, offering a delightful interplay of tastes.
Finish: The finish continues the theme of balance, leaving a lingering warmth and hint of spice without overwhelming bitterness.
Overall: While the title of “best on the planet” might be subjective, Highland Park 18 undoubtedly stands out as a top-tier whisky. It skillfully balances peat smoke with other flavors, creating a smooth and enjoyable experience. This expression bridges the gap between the lighter Speyside and smokier Islay whiskies, offering a bolder yet approachable option.
Value: Considering its complexity and accolades, Highland Park 18 offers a good value for the price. For those seeking a unique and flavorful whisky, this is a dram worth trying at least once.
Additional information:
- Aged for 18 years in a combination of European and American oak casks, seasoned with Oloroso Sherry in Spain, contributing to its rich and complex flavor profile.
- Presented in its natural color, free from artificial coloring.
- Recognized as a top Island Single Malt, winning the Chairman’s Trophy in 2018 and 2019.
- Produced by Highland Park Distillery, the second-northernmost single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Scotland, located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands.
- Founded by Magnus Eunson, an individual with an intriguing past as both a butcher and church officer, and a moonlighting distiller and whisky smuggler.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Springbank 18 | $230 |
| Highland Park 18 | $165 |