Highland Park vs Islay Whisky
Highland Park and Islay both make peated Scotch — but they are not the same experience. Highland Park (Orkney) offers heather-honey peat with maritime balance. Islay malts (Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig) deliver heavier smoke, iodine, and medicinal intensity. Here is how the styles compare, with community-rated bottles for each.
Quick answer
No — Highland Park is from Orkney (Highland/Islands region), not the island of Islay. It uses local peat but produces a gentler, heather-honey smoke profile compared to Islay's medicinal intensity.
Not sure which bottle to pick?
Take the Taste DNA quiz — 2 minutes, personalised match scores on every bottle.
Build your Taste DNA →Highland Park: gentle island peat
Highland Park 12 (~£38, community rating ≈4.1/5) is the benchmark for approachable peat — heather honey, light smoke, dried fruit. Orkney peat is different from Islay: less iodine, more floral heather. Ideal if you want smoke without the medicinal punch of Laphroaig.
Islay: the smoke capital of Scotch
Islay malts run from Bowmore 12 (light fruit + coastal peat) to Ardbeg Ten and Laphroaig 10 (medicinal, intense). Lagavulin 16 (~£70, ≈4.2/5) is the classic full-peat expression — rich, elegant smoke with dried fruit. Choose Islay if you want peat as the main event, not a background note.
Which should you buy first?
New to peat: Highland Park 12 or Bowmore 12. Ready for Islay: Lagavulin 16 or Ardbeg Ten. Already love smoke: Laphroaig 10 or Ardbeg Uigeadail. Use the side-by-side compare links below for community ratings on specific bottles.
Single MaltYamazaki
Yamazaki 18 Year Old
$748
Single MaltKilkerran
Kilkerran 12 Year Old
$70
Value Pick
Single MaltLagavulin
Lagavulin 16 Year Old
$98
Single MaltAmrut
Amrut Fusion
$73
Value Pick
Single MaltBunnahabhain
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
$53
Value Pick
Single MaltBruichladdich
Port Charlotte 10 Year Old
$69
Value Pick
Single MaltSpringbank
Springbank 10 Year Old
$72
Value Pick
Single MaltLaphroaig
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish
$67
Value Pick
Single MaltAberfeldy
Aberfeldy 12 Year Old
$50
Value Pick
Single MaltTobermory
Ledaig 10 Year Old
$50
Value Pick
Single MaltCaol Ila
Caol Ila 12 Year Old
$68
Value Pick
BlendedPrában na Linne
Te Bheag Nan Eilean
$42
Value PickFrequently asked questions
Is Highland Park an Islay whisky?
No — Highland Park is from Orkney (Highland/Islands region), not the island of Islay. It uses local peat but produces a gentler, heather-honey smoke profile compared to Islay's medicinal intensity.
Highland Park vs Islay — which is smokier?
Islay malts are generally smokier and more medicinal. Highland Park 12 (~20 ppm) reads as honey and heather with background peat. Laphroaig 10 (~45 ppm) and Ardbeg Ten (~55 ppm) are dramatically more intense.
What is the best whisky if I like Highland Park but want more smoke?
Step up to Bowmore 12 (lighter Islay), Talisker 10 (Skye — peppery maritime smoke), then Lagavulin 16 or Ardbeg Ten for full Islay intensity. All ranked by community score on DrinkNeatly.