Highland Park Valknut (2018)
I’m not a close follower of Highland Park, but they seem to have way too many series or series within series. It’s really hard to keep track of them all, which I then of course stopped doing a long time ago. So, for this blog post I had to do a quick Google search first.
Released in 2018, the Highland Park Valknut is the second in the Viking Series. (I couldn’t tell you what the other ones are.) It’s made using a ‘small amount’ of Orkney-grown Tartan barley. If that’s what the official press release says, it probably is a VERY small amount indeed.
It matured in American oak sherry seasoned casks and the packaging was designed by… Wait, that’s one thing I don’t care about. Let’s just taste.
Highland Park Valknut (46.8%, OB, 2018)
Nose: I immediately get a hint of sulphur; the struck matches kind. There’s some subtle peat and salted rye cookies, but also lighter fruits like apple and white grapes. Pretty aromatic.
Taste: Sulphur again, that’s not great. It takes away from the gentle red fruits, vanilla and soft peat. A tinge of green apple.
Finish: Medium in length. Subtle barley notes and just a hint of smoke.
Score: 75
Not super impressed by this. I feel the Highland Park’s core range has more to offer. Overall, this lacks balance and depth.
Photo: The Whisky Exchange
Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.
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