PBMichiganWolverine
Highland Park Odin
Single Malt — Islands, Scotland
Reviewed
February 12, 2017 (edited September 18, 2022)
Thanks to a generous sample provided by Lee, I was able to try this rare limited Islander this evening. If you've had the HP 18, this is right up there with it, but more intense and firmer. Whereas the 18 is complex and full of depth, this is intense and full of character. Odin was the perfect name for it. On the nose, you get oranges and vanilla, and then becomes stronger on the palate with capsicum style pepper, peat, and honey with a lingering citrus finish. At close to $300, I'm not sure I'd be hard pressed to buy this over the 18 though. The rarity definitely adds to the premium. I've had one other Valhalla series before---Freya. Compared to Freya, this is quite different. Freya was lighter and fruitier compared to this. Between the two, I think this is better. But, I'd still get the 18 over this, not because it's better than this, but it's similar in quality (not taste), at half the price.
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
Oh, those basement boxes, I smell some extra trading action once the distillery tour begins...
I need to dig in my boxes...I could've sworn I had an old 25 year old Highland Park...would be great to compare it against these modern HPs
Chasing the Highland Park collections has become an obsession for me. I landed all of the Valhalla series, except for Thor and I have both the Fire and Ice editions too. I just found Thor in the USA but I just can't bring myself to pay the ridiculous price being asked: $1500. I'm going to pop the Fire & Ice at some point this year, I'm just not sure when...
I think we're paying a premium for marketing as well. I've been eyeing the Fire bottling, but $325 for a 15 yr old is unpalatable. It's the marketing premium i think.
Great review. I've only ever had the HP12, but I was thoroughly impressed. I have the 15, 18, and Einar from the warrior series. One day I will open them and I'm sure they will be fantastic. Unless someone I know sends me a sample I doubt I'll ever have the chance to try this one.
Great review, Pranay. I thought this was a bit more complex than the 18 and a helluva lot more powerful. For those reasons I think I prefer Odin to the 18, but like you said, it's hard to justify the almost double price tag and the fact that the 18 is a classic dram. Cheers.