Highland Park Valkyrie

Nose: Smokey but not with the medicinal peat, notes of brownie, roasted coffee, strawberries, walnuts, dark chocolate, oranges, créme brûlée and pears. Unexpected desert, my favorite. Palette, peated, but with the that same fruity acidic freshness and creamed coating that mellows everything back down. Citrus and pears mostly dominate, then peat and oak lingers for a while and goes to a lightly salty finish.

This Highland Park had to grow on me. When I first cracked the seal a few months ago I would've rated it 3 stars but I've come to appreciate it more and more. The peat is closer to a peated speyside than an islay. It's heavy on the spice and oak rather than salt or iodine. The dried fruit and shortcake notes take a backseat to Oriental spice and oak influence, leading to a long drying finish. I give it four stars because it is a unique flavor profile in my whisky collection but I don't think it justifies the ~$70 price tag. I'd rather get the Magnus for half the price.