Highland Park Valknut

Located in Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Highland Park has been distilled since 1798 – on the same site as Magnus Eunson’s original illicit still. The distillery lies almost within the Arctic Circle on a latitude of 58.9847°N putting the distillery closer to Oslo, Norway than London. Exposed to every element and pounded relentlessly by gale-force winds from every angle, no trees can survive in Orkney’s harsh conditions – and this curious geology lies at the heart of Highland Park’s distinctive flavour. For over 220 years, Highland Park has used peat cut from Hobbister Moor, just seven miles from the distillery. Completely woodless, this dense heathery peat burns slowly and with an astonishing intensity to create a complex floral aroma in our kilns that delivers the intensely balanced smoky sweetness found only in Highland Park.

Valknut means ‘knot of those slain in battle’ and its symbol of three interlinked triangles appears on numerous artifacts from the Viking Age. The symbol is closely associated with the Norse god, Odin, who guided the spirits of the dead to the underworld and back to the world of the living. Valknut is the second in the Viking Legend series, celebrating the rich Nordic ancestry on Orkney. Created using a higher proportion of locally peated malt and predominantly matured in sherry seasoned oak casks, gives this whisky its smoky, sweet flavour.

Nose: Sea breeze, fresh and clean. With time raw vanilla wafer cookie dough. With time a soft touch of raisin comes in.

Palate: The peat is slightly more present, but still balanced by vanilla wafers and apple on the back palate.

Finish: Medium long, soft, tannic and nutty.