Highland Park 10 years Viking Scars

Background

VIKING SCARS pays tribute to our ancestors’ enduring influence on Orkney and the value they placed on skilled craftsmanship and a steadfast work ethic.

Story

Centuries ago, long before Orkney became part of Scotland, it belonged to a vast Viking Kingdom. Magnus Eunson, who founded Highland Park in 1798, was a direct descendant of those early Viking pioneers who settled in our island home, becoming part of Orkney and part of us, and leaving their mark on our landscape, our culture and our people. Does that shape the character of our whisky? Without a shadow of a doubt.

"My great ancestors are not gone, you can find them in my flesh, blood and soul."

Old Viking Saying

Flavours

Citrus fruits, vanilla, peppery spices, heather peat, light smoke

Honours

International Spirits Challenge 2018 Silver Medal

World Whisky Awards 2018 Winner

Tasting notes Serge Valentin: 90 points (Whiskyfun.com)

We tried one of last year’s batches and thought it was brilliant (WF 90) despite that very, err, scary name (well done, S.!) I just chose it as one of my ‘coups de coeur’ of WL Paris too, so yeah, any excuses to try a newer batch right now...

Colour: gold.

Nose: typical, slightly coastal, mineral, waxy, honeyed, fruity and grassy, which makes for a perfect combo, fresh, firm, and pretty pure. No clumsy seasoning here, this is just impeccable, irrefutable, and, well, perfect.

Mouth: so very good! Checking my previous notes just now… yeah, honey, lemons, salt, smoked shells, clay, oysters, grapefruits… tastes just a notch bitterer this time, but that may be me.

Finish: a little more salt, chalk, lemons…

Comments: imagine the very same make, just further matured to 12 ,15 ,18 21, 25, 30, 35, and 40 yo (I’m sure the 35 and the 40 would give us new John-Goodwins!), and with slightly higher voltages… Piece of cake, no?

Highland Park Distillery

Highland Park Distillery is located on the Orkney Islands, north of mainland Scotland, near the town of Kirkwall. Founded in 1798, Highland Park is one of the oldest legal distilleries in Scotland and has a rich history dating back to the illegal distillery of Magnus Eunson, a local smuggler and church official.

A specific feature of Highland Park is the use of locally extracted peat, from the Hobbister Moor, which gives a unique and subtle smoke note to the whisky. In addition, the distillery still partly uses traditional floor malting methods, where the barley is turned by hand during drying. Highland Park whiskies are known for their complex and balanced flavour profiles, with notes of honey, heather, fruit and a distinctive light smokiness.

The whisky is mainly matured in European and American oak sherry casks, which contributes to its rich, deep flavours and aromas. Highland Park remains an icon in the whisky world, valued for its tradition and craftsmanship.