Review: Highland Park “Between You and I” 2026

Highland Park’s collaborative “Between You and I” release launched last year with some of the most objectively strange tasting notes I’ve ever encountered — clearly intentionally, though the whisky certainly had some charm to it that you could find without delving into surrealistic commentary about how the whisky sounds.

Now, HP is back with a second edition, this “Between You and I” a 17 year old release that is a collab with New York-based Egyptian artist Laila Gohar, with a slightly more transparent approach. This offering spends 11 years in refill casks before being finished (for 6 years) in “active, unseasoned new American oak casks.”

Also take note that a completely different second version of BY&I called “Between You and I: Journeys” (black box) was released for 2026 exclusively to travel retail. This version is matured in ex-bourbon and new Spanish oak casks. Reviewed here is the much more available global edition (yellow box).

Who is Laila Gohar? Highland Park explains: “Raised in Egypt and based in New York, Laila is that special kind of artist whose work is instantly recognisable. Blending surrealism, humour, elegance and nostalgia, her edible installations turn everyday ingredients into magical, unforgettable experiences. Think Greek sculptures made from creamy butter, or Japanese Zen gardens that are actually chocolate cake.”

We were thrilled to get the chance to taste this collaborative spirit. Thoughts follow.

Highland Park “Between You and I” 17 Years Old 2026 Review

After a handful of lackluster releases, BY&I 2026 is a masterful return to form. I loved just about everything about this whisky, finding it hard to put down from the jump.

The nose enchants with a gentle layer of orange blossom, evident immediately, more blossom than orange and quite delicate in structure. Time in glass helps to concentrate those aromas and infuse them with honey notes, quite enchanting and increasingly citrusy as things develop. Tertiary aromas include a smattering of baking spice and the slightest hint of peat, taking the form of a layer of smoked sea salt.

The palate is equally refreshing, a sweet (but not too sweet) layer of nougat leading the way to flavors of almond cake, studded with sultanas and some chopped dates. The citrus becomes increasingly dominant the longer the whisky sits on the palate, melding with the deep-seeded granary notes to evoke shortbread cookies dipped in Earl Grey tea. From there it’s a quick ride to what emerges as a classic finish, though I would have expected this had some sherry influence had I not been informed otherwise: marzipan and marmalade in roughly equal proportions, settling into a lengthy and soothing vanilla swirl as it sits just about forever in the back of the throat.

If I have any complaint, it’s with Highland Park’s bottle design for this whisky. The ultra-cool box this whisky comes in is clearly designed by an artist. The bottle inside has the distillery’s boring, greige, text-only branding. Come on, HP!

95 proof.

A / $160 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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