cascode
Highland Park 15 Year Viking Heart
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
July 30, 2022 (edited March 2, 2023)
Nose: Maritime aromas of brine, shellfish and pebble beach lead the nose, backed by lemon zest, heather honey, apricot, grilled pineapple and a little sooty smoke. It’s a fresh, coastal nose given depth by honeyed sweet aromas and a subtle hint of oloroso sherry that contributes a balancing dry character. The nose gains depth over time but not great complexity, instead remaining fresh, crisp and coastal, but aromas of good oak cask do become obvious.
Palate: Firm, sweet and gently spicy arrival centered on ginger, marmalade and dark chocolate-coated toffee. The smoke is definitely there but it is restrained at first, only building on subsequent tastes. Tropical and citrus fruit, mixed nuts, and a light hint of spice in the development. Like the nose the sherry cask contribution to the palate is very calm and controlled and the texture is delightfully creamy with good weight.
Finish: Medium. Cocoa, coffee and a touch of sweet and briny smoke.
A classic Highland Park nose that is reminiscent of the best aspects of the old 10 year expression but with more maturity and balance. The cask selection was very good and the oak has contributed a hidden strength of character to the profile. It is also perfect at the bottling strength of 44%. I did not add any water and I see no reason to do so.
This is a very good whisky, and the best of the four Highland Park expressions I’ve tasted so far today. It starts out as a good but somewhat unassuming whisky but with time in the glass it grows in stature, and by the time the dram was finished I wished I could have poured myself another.
Recommended.
Tasted from a 30ml sample, bottle ordered.
“Very Good” : 87/100 (4.25 stars)
199.0
AUD
per
Bottle
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@PBMichiganWolverine I think it was originally a UK or French exclusive, but it became popular and is now distributed in Europe and Commonwealth countries. I reviewed it here a while back, but in summary it has a profile that is a little less rounded than the 12 year old but with a more prominent peat smoke presence, however the peat smoke is not Islay-like as with the recent NAS smokies from HP. It’s much more in the style of old style HP with that smoky honeypot character. Serge rated it highly a few years back, and it sells here for around AUD$75. Since the brand makeover it is also called “Viking Scars” and is the baby of the core range age expressions.
@Scott_E don’t we all ;)
@LouisianaLonghorn I’ve not even heard of the 10. Thought it started at 12.
@LouisianaLonghorn that may explain why I haven’t seen it. Thanks for the heads up. I will, though, keep a wide eye as I peruse liquor store shelves.
@Scott_E I think the 10 isn’t available in the US. When I was in the UK this summer it was on supermarket shelves. I believe the 12 is the youngest HP age statement we get here.
@cascode I haven’t yet tried the 10. I haven’t seen it by me, however. Will look harder and will have to give that a go.
@Scott_E I'd agree with that but don't overlook the HP 10 (do you guys get that one?)
@PBMichiganWolverine @cascode at the end the day, imo, simply, for HP, stick with the 12, 15 and 18. Ardbeg: 10, Ugi, Corry. Anything else is just an asterisk.
@Scott_E @cascode. Me too…the old green label one was amazing. I bought a bottle ages ago, and finished it. Now I’m sure that old one is sky high price. I had given up on HP, along with Ardbeg, just because I felt it’s all marketing, but seems like a sample or so of HP is warranted. Ardbeg, on the other hand…to me, they’re dead!
This seal the deal. I am going to pick up a bottle.
Years ago, I tasted this and absolutely loved. Bought a bottle for about $115 (I believe); the old-school bottling with the green label. Still sounds like HP is still doing this one right.