Highland Park Whisky 18 years old, Viking Pride 2021 Batch /43%/ – In 1979 Highland Distillers spent fortune for marketing the Highland Park brand. The 12 years old expression was introduced and shortly became “one of the best malts in its class”. 1997 brought older versions of Highland Park – 18 and 25 years old. The former, made up of incredible 60% first fill Spanish oak sherry casks, immediately scored gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition. In the spring of 2017 the Edrington Group revamped the Highland Park core range. The new design is inspired by the period from around 800AD, when Orkney was ruled over by the Viking kingdoms of Denmark and Norway and comes from an ancient wooden church (Stavkirke) in the Norwegian village of Ornes heavily decorated with wooden carvings. The 18 years old expression has been re-named Viking Pride.
Nose: floral and fruity, mildly smoky, heather, apple blossom, honeydew melon, oranges, honey, caramel, walnuts, cocoa powder and toasted oak.
Palate: rich and creamy, nutty, toffee, honey, cappuccino, dried dates and apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange marmalade and distant wisp of smoke.
Finish: fairly long, extension to the palate.
