Which 25YO Highland Park?

[The Third Dram]

It's been a while since I've tasted the 25-year old HP, and I'm presently considering rectifying that situation. My local merchant currently carries the newer, flat-sided bottle version at the slightly lower proof level. However, I do believe there may still be a very small number of the older, rounded bottles kicking around. And I'd greatly appreciate input from fellow HP lovers as to which version I should spring for (purchasing both at this time is, alas, out of the question).

Thanks in advance for your input.

[jazz lover]

For me 53.5%
I'll vote 50.7%

[Ganga]

My preference was for the 48.1%. Haven't tried the 53.5%. Oh well....

[jimidrammer]

Of the three I preferred the 50.7% also, although they really are just a point or two between them. I'd get the older while it's still available. Just be sure to spend some time with it, it really takes time to get to know and appreciate the unique style. I've been opening one every year at Christmas and I still have one extra 53.5% for this year.

Just curious if anyone knows if they just happened to change the abv when they changed the bottle shapes or are they planning a new release soon?

[lohssanami]

My preference was for the 48.1%. Haven't tried the 53.5%. Oh well....

Ganga, you can try the 53.5% on Thursday.

[The Third Dram]

Just curious if anyone knows if they just happened to change the abv when they changed the bottle shapes or are they planning a new release soon?

They did, from the 50.7% level down to the current 48.1%.

What's of even greater concern to me, however, is John Hansell's (of the Malt Advocate) writing that Highland Park has already initiated plans to reduce the strength of the 21YO from 47.5% to 40%, owing to the lower overall cask strengths of the stocks from the mid to the late 1980s. Furthermore, the strengths of the 25YO and 30YO expressions, for the same reasons, may be altered in the (near?) future.

[ClubSmed]

Surely it makes sense to go for the old one? You can always spring for the new bottling at a (much) later date, you will not be able to find (without a premium) the older bottlings soon.

[bcrossan]

How tough is the 53.5% to come by these days? And what is a good price to pay for it?

[jazz lover]

These show up quite often here in Houston.
I found 8 bottles $175-199.

[The Third Dram]

It was the 53.5%ABV 25YO that first 'tickled my tongue'. Unfortunately, I'm lucky (I think) to still have limited access to the subsequent, lower proof incarnation of the malt.

[The Third Dram]

It's a done deal. Nabbed the 50.7%ABV release. Thanks fellows.

[ClubSmed]

I am very jealous!

[mikeymad]

My preference was for the 48.1%. Haven't tried the 53.5%. Oh well....

Ganga, you can try the 53.5% on Thursday.

Oh and how he did try it..!!!

It is a really tasty beverage lohssanami.. thx

Cheers,