I woke, regarded up by the spherical window on the roof, and smiled. It was dry!
Amy and I, together with the 2 children, had determined to vacation a bit of nearer to homethis summer season. We left Cawdor early on our journey towards Aberdeen, the place we’d board our Ferry for the in a single day crusing north to Shetland. There, we’d start a tour of the northern isles. After visiting pals in Lerwick we took two additional ferries, heading north to probably the most northerly inhabited a part of the British Isles: Unst.
Being an adventurous household, we arrange camp on a distant seaside and sat with our pals having fun with a couple of drams while the children slept. For these unfamiliar with this a part of the world: darkness does not likely descend; it was like noon at 2 am! After our journey to the “prime of the world” (as the children known as it) we returned south once more to the primary ferry port to bid farewell to our pals and await onward transportation to Orkney.
Now, Orkney was new to me and the children, however Amy had lived there for a few years as a young person. She needed to indicate us a few of her previous stomping grounds, and this was nice, however actually Amy knew that there was two locations I used to be actually eager about (and one particularly). So it got here to be that on our second day on Orkney we went on a whisky journey (in addition to a seaside and a few fish and chips… effectively, I had a neighborhood Orkney delicacy referred to as a “Pattie,” as I’m not eager on fish.
First cease was Scapa Distillery. Some upkeep work was being undertaken however this didn’t cease me popping into the store and having a terrific chat with the workers there… and a wee dram. Pictures have been taken for my archive, after which it was spherical to Kirkwall and Highland Park. I’ve lengthy loved the whisky of Highland Park, and admit to proudly owning extra bottles than I actually ought to. I could blame Amy, as she has purchased a good few of them as items (she is aware of me too effectively).
However, this was my first go to to the distillery, and I believe I used to be a bit of excited, however maybe that’s a narrative for an additional time. Secure to say I loved the expertise and – though Orkney shouldn’t be the best/least expensive place to go to – I’d say that if Highland Park is your factor then its definitely worth the effort. Later, we headed to the procuring space of Kirkwall, which after all meant a go to to the Highland Park retail outlet in situ there. The workers in retailer have been improbable, pleasant, and useful, and I left with a bottle of 18 yr previous.
Of late Highland Park has taken a bit of little bit of a knocking for what some understand to be a over focus on the advertising versus the whisky. In some quarters itis felt that the present Viking theme is considerably excessive and is a bit of gimmicky, maybe? I can see the argument, however for me: I prefer it, as a lot as I’m Scottish, and that Orkney is Scottish. I’m conscious that the Norse tradition is an enormous a part of these northern isles, and I can hint my family’s heritage again to each Shetland and Orkney, and the children additionally purchased me a DNA package a number of years in the past and my DNA has a share from Denmark, so: hell yeah, I’m a Viking!!
The Whisky
Highland Park have been producing whisky since 1798. The liquid right now is just about completely peated, however its stated that the peat used within the manufacturing is a “softer” peat than that utilized in Islay whisky, for instance. One cause given is that there are subsequent to no timber on Orkney, thus the peat is shaped from decomposed mosses fairly than timber. Both method, it presents a whisky that – while peated – comes throughout to many as being extra mild on the palate, maybe “peat lite?”
The distillery produces numerous core vary drams, with the primary rung on the ladder in most international locations being the 10-year-old. Within the US they do launch the “Magnus” as a non-age assertion bottle, however I can’t touch upon it as I’ve but to discover a solution to get a bottle over to me right here in Scotland.
From the ten we work up by 12, 14, 18, 21, into the excessive ages and the even increased costs. Alongside the age assertion bottles you’ll find some non-age-stated (NAS) expressions, reminiscent of Valfather, Valkyrie, and Valknut, or anniversary releases/particular bottlings reminiscent of for the Scottish ballet or the Royal Navy Submarine Service, all launched in a equally formed bottle with differing colored glass and labels.
Highland Park 18 Yr Previous Viking Pleasure – Assessment
£87.49 from Grasp of Malt. £115 from The Whisky Alternate.
Color: Mild bronze gold.
On the nostril: It’s wealthy, a touch that resonates of mature oak, there’s a floral aroma combined with a easy fruit salad, topped with glace cherries, and I definitely sense honey, completely topped with a word of fragrant smoke.
Within the mouth: A creamy mouthfeel, virtually decadent, it’s a really full flavour with no house to cover; the honey on the nostril is there, alongside toffee, or maybe caramel. Oh, and a touch of espresso. And sure, the smile comes throughout your face as you sip as a result of that smoke can’t conceal its origins, you realize its peat. Finishes mushy, full, and lengthy… oh, it’s lingering.
Conclusions:
Nicely, the journey north to the islands was beautiful, and value it. After I speak of its price it’s in relation to high quality household time and in relation to fulfilling a long-held need to go to Highland Park. In relation to price in respect of precise prices: it could have been cheaper to fly overseas and spend two weeks on a seaside consuming rum! Sure, visiting Scotland’s northern isles shouldn’t be low cost, however who places a financial worth on having fun with first rate whisky on the island it was made? While Highland Park takes its knocks, gross sales nonetheless soar, the stuff nonetheless strikes of the shelf, and personally – while I nonetheless can – I’ll proceed to drink/change/drink Highland Park 18 (together with others). It’s, in my humble opinion, a darn fulfilling dram!
Rating: 6/10
Lead picture courtesy of Highland Park.
