Highland Park Viking Scars 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Bang for your buck, one of the surprise whiskies of the year!

Highland Park's revamped core range comes complete with a new 'embossed' bottle look and colourful names paying homage to the island's Viking history. According to the distillery, "Magnus Eunson, who founded Highland Park in 1798, was a direct descendant of the early Viking pioneers who settled in Orkney. The Vikings left their mark on the landscape, the culture and the people. In fact, one in three islanders bears the Viking DNA."

'Viking Scars' is a tribute to one of the nine noble virtues of the Vikings.

Tasting note: Expectations aren’t high when it comes to NAS and younger HPs. Viking Scars changes that. Sultry aromas of honey, tea biscuits, poached fruits and soft smoke defy the whisky's age. In the mouth, it's full-flavoured with light citrus and pear fruitiness overlaid by oily, maritime peat and honey glaze. Don’t look for big complexity, but texture-wise this is superb. Better than the current 12 year old and one of the surprise whiskies of the year. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... No need to say that we like the fact that they did not drop the age statement, while wondering if they did not reach the limits of Vikingdom. Scars? What’s next, Viking Dishwasher? Nah, love them, really, it’s all a bit second-degree anyway, is it not. Is it? Colour: gold. Nose: no or very little sherry seasoning here, so it’s rather bright, showcasing the trademark heather honey and this mineral side that we always enjoyed. Salty beach rocks, shells, ripe apples and quinces, beach bonfire afar, honey drops, wallflowers (sublime!)… But I like this very much! Mouth: very good, very very good! Even the lower strength does not pose problems here. Perfect honey, lemons, salt, smoked shells, clay, oysters, grapefruits… Finish: medium, superbly fresh, complex, and fruity. Even more honey in the aftertaste, that is perfect. Comments: hey Orkney, we need a CS version of the very same juice! Fantastic interplay between the minerality, the honey and the citrus. Probably my favourite BFYB this month, although the month isn’t over yet.
90 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com