Yes. Yes, I do. “Viking Scars”, “Viking Honor”, “Viking Heart”, “Dragon Legend”, “Twisted Tattoo”, “Loyalty of the Wolf”. Except, these bottles are no longer new (the post is from 5 years ago), but replaced by a new sleeker range, dispensing with the cringe. So before these grotesque bottles fall into the memory hole, I wanted to take the chance to try them (though the 12, 15, and 18 may stay the same under the hood).
Actually, having tried a good highland park I’ve recently become rather obsessed with exploring this distillery, even buying some bottles for the stash…
Highland Park • “Viking Scars” • 10yo • 40%
Scotch Single Malt • American & European sherry seasoned oak casks • €35-40 • WB🔗
Tasting notes from a 5cl sample bottle
Nosing
First a gush of citrus, then a soft earthiness of peat. The fruits then draw more towards slightly overripe pears and tropical fruits, thereto a lactic note. Some heather, dried bay leaf and loads of vanilla.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Sipping
The mouthfeel suffers from the low percentage, though an oily quality is detectable. The taste has a little sugary sweetness, and is somewhat briney. This finish is the strong card, with yellow fruits, juicy bourbon oak, vanilla ice cream, and wood smoke, and some spice and ashy bitterness.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Commentary
It has a few different flavour directions going on, and the juiciness makes it quite tasty. But the overall impression is somewhat disjointed.
Highland Park • “Viking Honour” • 12yo • 40%
Scotch Single Malt • European & American Sherry seasoned Oak • €35 • WB🔗
Tasting notes from a 5cl sample bottle
Nosing
Citrus, green apples, and various grassy, spicy and herbal notes (heather, clove). There is definitely a (non-overpowering) sourness similar to a gueuze or craft cider. Light sherried notes, like fig chutney, to complement smoked cheese and ham.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Sipping
Feels a lot more substantial than the 10yo, despite the same 40% ABV, and the sweetness is more rounded. Malty and lightly fruity (cranberries), with a touch of vegetal peat, well-integrated.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Commentary
It’s not a strongly sherried whisky, but there’s clearly been more sherry casks involvement than with the 10yo, bringing more body. Also, the whole experience feels much more well-integrated. This might be one of the better standard bottlings at 40% out there, I’m very positively surprised.
Highland Park • 15yo • 44%
Scotch Single Malt • Sherry Seasoned Oak
• €65-85 • WB🔗
Tasting notes from a 5cl sample bottle
Nosing
Not altogether different from the 12yo, but nuttier and with richer sherry notes, like balsamico and strawberry. It does gain a lot with time.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Sipping
Rich and juicy, with orange marmalade, honey, toffee, and tobacco smoke.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Commentary
Again, superbly well rounded, with a prominent but not overwhelming peat. The old bottling is still in stock, and quite nicely priced if you look around.
Highland Park • “Dragon Legend” • 43.1%
Scotch Single Malt • Sherry seasoned Oak Casks
• €45-50 • WB🔗
Tasting notes from a 5cl sample bottle
Nosing
Very heathery and honied, orange peel, mead, vanilla
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Sipping
Spicy, with plenty of red fruits, and
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Commentary
Maybe like the 10yo but more sherry and peat. Or like the 15yo but less sherry, more youthful spice, and more peat. Honestly, it’s beginning to get hard to really separate all these rather similar expressions, varying mostly in the amount of sherry, peat, and , but being (understandably) close in basic character.
To conclude, they are all pretty good. Nothing off or seriously out of balance, but you wouldn’t expect that from the core range of an esteemed distillery. The mild to medium peat together with the famously “heather-honey” profile does work a tret, and with some restrained sherry with that, the combo is pretty delicious and varied. I look forward to deepening my acquaintance with “HP”.
DuckDrams 
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