Highland Park 12 whiskey

Vikings – it is a word that conjures images of muscle-bound warriors clutching double-sided axes on long wooden boats. But when the word is used, chances are, the idea of Scotch whiskey doesn’t pop into your head.

Highland Park Distillery wants to change that.

This Orkney Islands-based distillery touts the region’s Viking origins as the inspiration for all its whiskeys. And its flagship bottle is the single malt Highland Park 12-Year-Old. Indeed, the cluster of islands about 10 miles north of the Scottish mainland was ruled by Viking Kings of Norway and Denmark from 800 until 1468 AD. The distillers at Highland Park draw on that culture to craft their whiskey.

But Highland Park is so much more than just a great story. It is the whiskey itself that sets Highland Park apart from the rest.

Highland Park 12-Year-Old whiskey showcases the environment of the Orkney Islands. But it also preserves the traditional processes passed down by the Viking culture. One of the more prominent features of the whiskey is the amount of peat that drinkers will detect on the palate. Highland Park is known for the amount of peat its distillers use in the whiskey, highlighting the peat bogs prominent on the islands.

 
Tasting Notes: Highland Park 12-Year-Old

Highland Park 12-Year-Old whiskey gets mixed reviews when it comes to people who enjoy it and people who are relatively indifferent to it. Perusing the Internet, you may find its reception lukewarm. A lot of reviews use words like, “flat” or “inexpressive” as adjectives to describe its flavor. However, if you are looking for a muted whiskey with a calming flavor, this is the whiskey for you. We’d suggest you give it a pour for yourself to see (perhaps into one of our Prestige Haus glasses). 

Nose

The journey into Highland Park 12-Year-Old’s flavor profile begins with a fresh and citrus-filled nose. It is mild with a subtly sweet honey smell and a hint of vanilla on the back end. At its front, you will taste fresh fruits like pineapples, green apples, and oranges. The citrus notes are king here, and you will almost taste freshly peeled tree fruits as you sniff more and more. 

Palate

Again, this whiskey is mild. Upfront, the taste will be clean and clear. But it builds the more you drink it, with each sip adding to short bursts of sweetness that turn spicy with time. Lean into the nutty caramel tone when the spicy cinnamon flavors hit you. Towards the end of the palate, you will taste a slightly oily, slightly smoky and peppery oak flavor. It rings with the classic peatiness that made Highland Park famous.

Finish

Highland Park’s finish adds complexity to the entire experience. It is smooth but smoky with hints of spice and caramel emerging from a background of salty licorice. Some experience a quick finish, while some taste the spice for longer amounts of time. The peat slowly fades at the end and a pleasant sweet and malted flavor remains. 

 
The Verdict

If you are looking for a light, mild whiskey that surprises you with the finish, then grab a bottle of Highland Park 12-Year-Old. However, if you are looking for something more complex, then you may want to try something a little different. (Check out one of these for a more complex Scotch). Does Highland Park 12-Year-Old deserve the indifference shown to it by some? We don’t think so. This bottle is consistent, if a little mild, and will satisfy those cravings for a citrusy-sweet scotch with a hint of spice.

Grab a bottle and try it for yourself. Do you recommend the Highland Park 12-Year-Old? Comment below and let us know.