Highland Park 15 Years Viking Heart
The 15 Years Viking Heart is supposed to fill the gap of the standard bottlings between the 12 Years and the 18 Years Highland Park and thus expand the range of the distillery from the Orkney Islands. Unfortunately, we are not entirely convinced.The topic of Vikings as a marketing tool is certainly debatable, especially since the Vikings certainly did not produce whisky in their 500 years on Orkney. Nevertheless, the legends and symbols of the Nordic people always lend themselves to an exciting all-round marketing package.The ceramic bottle is of course an eye-catcher on the shelf and feels very good. The well-known lion and snake pattern as well as a heart are embossed on the bottle. The reason for the choice of the bottle is commitment to the environment, as well as the storage of Whiksy in stone vessels, as was the rule 200 years ago - back to the roots combined with the idea of sustainability, which shapes our future. We like that.
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Buy on AmazonTasting Notes
Nose
We first perceive intense cold smoke, which slowly fades away. After a few minutes in the glass, we smell fruity aromas, partly sweet, partly sour. It reminds us of grapefruit. In between, we have a slightly sandy, slightly dusty feeling in the nose. We can't quite put our finger on it.
Palate
Starting out fruity and tart and reminiscent of lemons and limes, brown sugar and vanilla sugar quickly take over. And that's it.
Finish
Medium-long and spicy, the 15 years takes us on a finish that is initially very salty and tangy, but is later strongly dominated by toasted oak.
Thoughts
Marcel 69/100 - (Good)
The Highland Park 15 Year Viking Heart is a whisky that looks nice but unfortunately remains too tame in the glass – it simply lacks the fire of a true characterful spirit. For just under 100 euros, I would have expected more boldness and some rough edges that really take me on a journey. It's a pity, because the smoky approach and fruity nuances had much more potential.
Sascha 69/100 - (Good)
The Viking Heart presents an insufficient balance between smoky and fruity elements, which makes the overall impression feel somewhat uneven. The structure is clear, but it lacks the complexity and depth to justify the price of around 100 euros. A whisky that is neither rounded nor distinctive – more solid than convincing.
Value for Money: 1/5 (Very expensive)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes the Highland Park 15 Year Viking Heart from other Highland Park releases?
The 15-years Viking Heart fills the gap between the 12- and 18-years Highland Park expressions. It is characterized by a combination of intense cold smoke, fruity-sour notes, and a medium-length, salty-spicy finish with roasted oak. The ceramic bottle is also unusual and is intended to reflect sustainability and historical maturation traditions.
Why is the bottle of the Highland Park Viking Heart made of ceramic?
The ceramic bottle is meant to recall the historical storage of whisky in stone vessels about 200 years ago while also promoting a sustainability concept. The material protects the whisky from light and contributes to a unique tactile experience.
How can the taste of the Highland Park 15 Year Viking Heart be described?
The taste starts fruity-sour with hints of lemon and lime, followed by sweet notes like brown sugar and vanilla. The finish is medium-length, initially salty and spicy, later dominated by roasted oak.