Highland Park 15 Years Old Viking Heart

I confess I am a sucker for Highland Park, because in every malt, there is this oily heaviness, which however does not need a huge amount of peat to work.

It would be an overstatement to call that this 15-year-old is altogether atypical, but it is certainly a little stetch from the usual HP portfolio: While there is still a hint of said oiliness on the nose, it yet gives you an overall fresh impression, via ripe lemon or even lime. Combine that with HP’s trademark heather flower, and you get a very interesting and enticing aroma on the nose. There’s light wood, too, so smelling this is like having a creamy lemon cake at IKEA. Me likey, let’s hope the palate does not disappoint…

On the palate, the lemon has a tart second before the oak’s xylith kicks in. I almost wish they would have used more active and fresher American Oak casks to provide a little more sweetness to the palate, but the finish is so on point that I do not care anymore: sweet and tart cinnamon like Big Red gum.

The sherry influence, overall, is light, and it is countered by the herbal and oily destillate quite well. Sure, this malt could be more refined, it could be a little smoother, there are some rough edges around the alcohol even after 15 years. But the way it generates its attractiveness is as unusual as it is well crafted, so even if you are not a HP aficionado, you should go for this dram for its sheer uniqueness and recognizability.

(still wish it was 18 years old)