Highland Park Valknut
46.8% ABV - Orkney Islands, Scotland
Nose: This admittedly did take a while to open up – pour this dram and get comfy! When the flavours peak they are fruity and with a satisfying amount of peat. What held me back from loving this was the slight sulphurous notes. That said, I think there are some who won’t find it as strong as I did.
Taste: Lots more to discover here. Dark orchard fruits, dried fruits, and wood notes. Accented by spices, orange citrus, and mild cocoa / dark chocolate. The peat and smoke are well layered in this dram. Very tasty!
Finish: Exits with dried fruit, spices, fading smoke, and dry flowers.
I hadn’t been drinking very much Highland Park lately, and for that reason it felt like I was taking a big chance on this bottle! Quick personal history lesson: Highland Park 10 was one of the first whiskies I enjoyed sipping on, and I think both the 10 and 18 are excellent and, for the most part, good value. It is those two expressions that spurred my curiosity into the Limited and Travel Retail Editions. The Viking Legend Series, of which the Valknut is a part of, is affordable and generally available—and the deep amber / black bottles and crafted names? Spurs my curiosity!
This could almost be called the Peated Macallan. I can’t help but draw the Edrington connection... I don’t say that because the Highland Park Valknut tastes like a Macallan—even though they do have a similar sherried kick—rather it is because at this price point, and for this brand, I really feel like I’m getting my value for the bottle. Highland Park Light and Dark? Fantastic whiskies,... but not fantastic value for $380 CAD. This Highland Park Valknut retails for $90 CAD and is a great value, especially by comparison. I feel like Macallan has the same story for taste/price/value.
And I can’t get to the end without mentioning Highland Park Valkyrie, of course! Valkyrie is the first release in the Viking Legend Series. All the tasting notes and reviews I read suggested to me that I would prefer Valknut over Valkyrie, but after a recent side-by-side tasting I give the nod to the Valkyrie. This Highland Park Valknut does have a peatier quality to it, but the sweet and fruity flavours aren’t as balanced as in the Valkyrie. You might just have to try them both—and there are worse things than tasting two good whiskies!
Second Release in the Viking Legend Series. Tasted 29 November 2018. (Posted 12 December 2018.)
