Part of a three part duty free exclusive series inspired by iconic animals in Viking culture. The marketing team have done their best to pack some stories into these TREs. Preparing for battle, Viking warriors believed they could harness the great bear’s mighty power and stamina by wrapping themselves in its skins. These fearless warriors became known as ‘berserkers’, their name derived from the old Norse words ‘ber’ – bear and ‘sekr ‘– skin. Apparently these bear skin warriors also believed whisky should be bottled by the litre. If you don’t bottle by the litre you’ll cop an axe to the skull. True facts here, nothing but. N: Light, but not necessarily delicate. I find this very immediately cereal driven, lots of honey and malt with a freshly baked pastry quality. But after 15 minutes or so in my glass this has opened up to give the HP heathery florals that I am coming to adore a little vanilla, and a touch of coastal sea air freshness. Im trying to convince myself some smoke is there, I’m not doing a good job of that. P: Soft, juicy and crisply refreshing arrival that is packed with malt, fresh orange peel and crystallised ginger. A creamy roundness is offered by a toffee note and some black pepper keeps it interesting. The smoke here I find is just a gentle whisper that threads everything together. Its light, and slightly herbal to perfumed. By the time my dram is done the whisper is a quiet conversation that I would like to continue. F: Medium. A little drying and warming with a pleasantly fading mix of honey and marmalade on white toast. Pepper is the last to leave. I don’t know how to feel about this. Many of the best things about HP are here, but they are all also a little short and lacking in depth. Then again, I would have no hesitation in pouring freely from the bottle and enjoying in good company. The litre bottling, when on offer at AUD $99 would be a steal worth stealing. Is it as good as perhaps the 10, probably not. Is it more easily enjoyed and just as good as my other recent NAS Dragon Legend and Raven; yes. Next time I travel allowances will be filled, that is for sure. [Pictured here with this drams Viking themed rock; a biotite-garnet amphibolite or as its locally known, cherry cake. This delectable looking chunk is from Akland in Southern Norway and represents metamorphic temperatures of over 500 degrees celsius and pressures concordant with depths of around 30-40 km. No bears needed] Price is for 1000 ml bottle. Distiller whisky taste #138 HP Running ranking (mostly for my benefit): 10: 3.75 12: 4 15: 4.25 18: 4.75 25: 4.75 Valknut: 4.25 Valkyrie: 4.25 Dragon Legend: 3.25 Voyage of the Raven: 3.5 Spirit of the Bear: 3.5