Highland Park 12, Talisker 10 or Scapa 14?

[Minnesota Malt]

Looking to get another bottle of scotch. I'm still fairly new at this and have had several different Laphroaigs (10, 15 and Quarter Cask). I've also had Lagavulin 16, Oban 14, Macallan 12, Glenlivet 12 and Glenfiddich 15.

So, I have been thinking about getting either HP 12, Talisker 10 or Scapa 14. Which one should I get and why?

I feel like I'm leaning towards the HP 12 because I've heard it is a really good all around Scotch and has characteristics of all regions.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[jazz lover]

1st H.P
2nd Tali.
3rd Scapa
In this order.

[Rob B]

I have tried all the same bottles as you apart from the Macallan and the Glenfiddich and as I am new to single malts too I can appreciate your curiosity about where to go next. The only thing you have not mentioned in your post is what you have thought about the whiskies you have tried.

Without an indication of your preferences, but based on what you have tried I would guess that you would enjoy the Talisker 10 and the HP12. I would suggest you try either one of these.

I have not mentioned the Scapa as it is not a whisky I have liked and I would choose a dram of the the other two long before I would consider the Scapa. If you like the Oban, you might also find Clynelish 14 to your taste more so than the Scapa. That said, each of us is different.

[Minnesota Malt]

Thanks for the feedback Rob.

I'm a big fan of Islay so far. Love Laphroaig (10, 15 and Quarter Cask) and Laga 16. Oban 14 was super smooth and delicious. Wasn't a big fan of Glenlivet 12 and Glenfiddich 15 was pretty boring. Macallan 12, I didn't care for it much at first, but after adding a few drops of water, I started to appreciate it more and more. I should say I tried all of these neat except for the quarter cask, I add a few drops of water to that as well

[Leorin]

The Talisker is the smokiest of the three you named and also the one that has the most power as it's only recuced to 45,8% alc.
The HP is said to be a good alrounder as it has aromas like peat, honey and sherry combined. I like the 12 y.o. HP very much. For me it's a good everyday dram and an old faithful.
The Scapa is the least smoky of those you named but it is good whisky as welland if you want to try it you should buy a bottle now as it is no longer produced and will disappear soon.

[sinclair]

If you want to try the Scapa 14 in the future i would suggest you buy one now if you see it as it has been deleted in favour of the 16.I always enjoyed the 14 and have 2 stashed away for the future.Also the Laph 15 has been replaced by the 18 and is getting hard to get round here.Have just bought another bottle as a reserve.

[Minnesota Malt]

I did not know the Scapa 14 is being replaced by a 16. I'am aware of Laphroaig 15 being replaced by the 18. I just bought my first bottle of 15 a few months ago and once I heard that it will be no more, I had to buy a bottle to have on reserve.... Will try not to open it up until a few years down the road!

[Ganga]

Yes, the Scapa 14 has really started to disappear around Los Angeles. The 16 seems to be everywhere now. My recollection is that the 14 is at 43% and the 16 is at 40%. I highly recommend getting a Scapa 14 if for nothing else than future exploration.

That aside, I prefer the HP 12 for the honey and smokey notes it provides. A nice all-around whisky. Talisker 10 is quite a bit more spicey and slightly smokier than the others. Look for cracked pepper in that one. Scapa I find more herbal than the other two.

[steveblack]

I am a newbie and have so far tried HP12, Talisker10, Laph QC, Glenlivet 12 & 15, Macallan 12 (Elegancia) among those you have tried.

HP12 was the first SM I started with and it was instant love. Having explored little more of the SM world, I must say islay malts have knocked HP 12 down a bit. It is a good all round whisky as they say. Talisker 10 is very good, but I guess I haven't spend much time with it. My initial preference would be for HP 12 ahead of Talisker 10.

Like you, Glenlivets haven't yet swayed me. I too found Maccallan 12 a bit boring at first (I drink always with about 1/5th of water) and later started adding a single cube of ice instead of water and enjoyed it.

At the risk of going the familiar way, you could try the other islay biggie Ardbeg 10. I am thoroughly enjoying it after an initial trouble with its medicinal taste.

[Minnesota Malt]

I ended up getting the HP 12 and I'am happy with it so far. It is very smooth and I can see why it is called the best all around single malt. The only fault I have with it is that it smells a little to sweet or maybe a little to much heather on the nose for me, but that is a pretty minor issue for me. I think Ardbeg 10 will be the next purchase. How would you compare it to Laphroaig 10? I'm a huge fan of Laphroaig 10.

[The Third Dram]

Happy to hear you are enjoying the Highland park 12YO.

I think Ardbeg 10 will be the next purchase. How would you compare it to Laphroaig 10? I'm a huge fan of Laphroaig 10.

You will doubtless hear comparative positives and negatives vis-a-vis both of these whiskies from many here, as these two characterful whiskies do tend to evoke rather strong reactions and preferences.

Personally, the Ardbeg wins out. Why? Well, for one, the vanilla input from the oak is less intrusive, and this allows the intrinsic traits of the spirit to shine through more clearly. I also love the quality of the fruit aspect, which, for my taste buds, oscillates between tart pineapple and sweet lemon. The peat reek, pronounced as it is, possesses less of that overt vegetal (think kelp) quality of the Laphroaig smokiness, and, rather than coming straight at you, tends to weave its way in and out of the other flavours. A very fine whisky, all told.

[Leorin]

I think the Ardbeg is of higher quality mainly because it' s unchillfiltered and it is bottled at 46 % which makes the whisky more complex.
But when it comes to drinkability you can't beat the Laphroaig 10 in my opinion.
I do always have both a bottle of Ardbeg Ten and one of Laphroaig 10 open and there is no bottle that I have to replace as often as the standard expression of Laphroaig.
The bottom line is, you got to have both

[Willie JJ]

Yes, the Scapa 14 has really started to disappear around Los Angeles. The 16 seems to be everywhere now. My recollection is that the 14 is at 43% and the 16 is at 40%.

Unless you got as different bottling from us the 14 was also 40%. It really would have been rich for them to double the price and reduce the strength when they went from 14 to 16.

As far as the three drams originally on offer are concerned; once upon a time I would have gone for the Tali then the HP with Scapa last. However, the most recent Tali 10 I had seemed to have been hit a bit hard with the caramel and it didn't appreciate it, so I'd probably go for the HP right now. Good choice.

The Ardbeg should be next on your list though.

[steveblack]

The only Laph that I have tried is Laph QC and it is currently among the most liked in my collection, if not at the top of the list. Ardbeg 10 compares well and I can't really say which is better. When I have either of them, the one that I drank that day wins, only to go back to other next day and find that wins too . Both have strong character, so I don't feel like doing a side by side comparison for fear of one getting in way of other. Both different and unique in their excellent ways.

I need to try Laph 10 CS or Laph 10. Some seem to prefer it over Laph QC. I see more nods for Laph 10 CS over Laph 10. What do you think?

[Reggaeblues]

...oooh, I dunno Nick! Should we deprive our friend of a stab at the CS, especially as the "Bottoms Up/Wine Rack" chain has it at a whisker over £26 right now??!!

I think I marginally prefer it to the QC! And both to the 10...

P.S. Nick, more notes on their way to you, but may take a couple days. Hectic weekend over here...

[The Third Dram]

I think I marginally prefer it (CS) to the QC! And both to the 10...

I'm in this camp as well, as I prefer the full-on flavour impact of the cask strength approach to the more oak-laden demeanour of the quarter cask finishing.

[steveblack]

It doesn't hurt to get both I guess

I guess I would get Laph CS if I come across it. Laph QC is definitely going to be a permanent member of my collection anyway. At the rate it is being consumed, a replacement bottle be needed sometime soon.

[SoMK]

I'd go HP 12 fort he honey and the overall roundness of this whisky
then Talisker 10 because of the pepper and smoke strength
then scapa 14...
Were you talking about Scapa 12, I would have swapped the last 2

[Reggaeblues]

I drink Talisker!

[dramtastic]

Talisker 10
Scapa 14
HP 12
In that order

[Deactivated Member]

talisker 10 for me

unless you could get a hp18


ash .