Highland Park 12 Years Old Viking Honour Single Malt Scotch Whisky

1. What they say

Matured predominantly in European and American sherry seasoned oak casks, our iconic 12 Year Old single malt whisky is spicy and well-rounded, packed with the flavours of sun-kissed Seville oranges and rich fruitcake spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; you’ll find molten heather honey in this whisky’s waves of heathery peat smoke. Why not try it with a handful of wasabi peas on the side or alongside a sizzling, pan-fried rib-eye steak or with smoked salmon and sour cream.

We’ve been crafting our award-winning whisky at the Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney, since 1798. Age, experience and respect for tradition may define our whisky, but it’s Orkney that sets it apart. Something magic happens here and the result is the wild harmony of flavours found in our whisky

https://www.highlandparkwhisky.com/en/single-malt-whisky/12-year-old

2. Official tasting notes

• Heather honey | Rich fruitcake | Winter spices | Seville oranges | Aromatic smoky peat

3. Details

• ABV 40%
• Age 12 Years Old
• Bottler OB
• Bottling Viking Honour
• Cask Sherry Casks
• Category Single malt scotch whisky
• Cost £30
• Origin Highland Park Distillery
• Region Islands, Scotland
• Released 2017

4. What I say

The latest installment of Highland Park 12 Year Old monikered Viking Honour. My initial adventure with HP12 wasn’t the best and I later found others that from experience had lost any hint of sherry influence. Perhaps refill casks were getting tired back in the early 2010’s? Anyways always happy to try another bite of the cherry. Approached blindly with an open mind, I immediately recognized HP’s heather brush smoke nature and also thankfully plenty of sherry cask influence too this time.

5. The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

• Colour Dark amber gold (11/20), numerous fine tears and tapered legs.
• Nose Rich, malty and sherried, a touch savoury, herbal, smoked sea salt, heather honey sweetness thickens into toffee, candied peel, apple strudel and hazelnut puree.
• Taste Full bodied, malty and rich, some clarifying notes of orange oil and zest, golden syrup, herbal, salinity plus a wisp of heather brush smoke, raisins, walnut, maple and pecan plait, Werther’s originals cream toffee.
• Finish Long, sweet toffee, raisin, some cinnamon rolls and clove.

6. Overall

Rich, malty and complex, there is a lovely sprinkle of sea salt which accentuates the flavours here, spiced heather honey adds to the thick malty backbone, the result is well-structured.

7. Score 84/100