Highland Park - Viking Honour 12 Years

Highland Park 12 Year Old Viking Honour Orkney Island Single Malt

This has been one of my favorite everyday single malts since I tried it for the first time nearly 15 years ago. Michael Jackson of Michael Jackson's Malt Whisky Companion called it "The greatest all-rounder in the world of malt whisky"

The Highland Park Distillery has been making whisky in Kirkwall, on the island of Orkney, since 1798. Like the Shetland and Faroe Islands, the Orkney Islands retain a strong Viking identity. Being north of Scotland the Orkney Islands are devoid of forests and peat traditionally has been the main source of fuel.

Highland Park is one of the few distilleries in Scotland to carry on the tradition of floor malting with the malted barley dried with Orkney peat, a famously heathery peat saturated by eons of salt spray. Only about 20% of the malt used to make Highland Park’s whisky is from their own maltings, the remainder is unpeated and sourced from other suppliers. While less peaty than some of their Islay counterparts the Highland Park whiskies have a noticeable peat influence. Like all other expressions the 12 Year old is aged primarily in sherry casks. There is just a hint of peat smoke one the nose with a whiff of salt air on the beach, followed by baked apple aromas, honey, some tropical fruit and a hint of dark chocolate.

On the first sip there is flavor of peat, then some sweetness of malt, milk chocolate, vanilla, honey (Graham crackers?) and orange zest, all mingled with the distinctive tones of wood from the barrels and smoke from the peated malted barley. A few drops of water bring out more fruit flavors, such as strawberries and maybe baked apples.

The whisky has a fairly long finish with flavors of cacao, dark chocolate, brazil and hazelnut from the sherry casks, all overlaid by woody notes and the presence of smoke from the peat.

Whiskey Advocate: 92 Points and Editor's Choice

A whiff of peat and a maritime breeze of salt air, seashells, and beach bonfire embers, drifting into tropical notes of lime and pineapple, as well as baked apples. Sweetness on the palate, with a dash of peat atop vanilla cream, graham cracker, milk chocolate, zesty lime, and espresso beans. Water brings out fruit notes of melon, strawberries, and red apples, and the finish settles things with a back note of cocoa and a bang of winter spice. David Fleming, Summer 2021.

Wine Enthusiast: 93

Elegant, light and pretty. This amber spirit has a light, briny vanilla scent and a silky feel. A veil of smoke rises through the Scotch (but fades out fast), leaving behind a sweet nutty, vanilla finish. Kara Newman, 12/31/2011.

Pop's Bottle Price $57.99