Highland Park 12 Year Viking Honour

NEAT NOSE - Peat hits right away but isn't too much. After a few sniffs, the peat recedes into the background, allowing sweet caramel and vanilla notes to emerge, complemented by some citrus. PALATE - Similar to the nose, smoke is the initial sensation, but it fades with another sip or two. The whiskey then reveals more sweet notes of caramel, citrus, and vanilla. FINISH - A mild, sweet smoky finish of medium duration. This whiskey is quite enjoyable and doesn't leave your mouth feeling unpleasant. BUY? - Absolutely, especially if you're new to Peated Scotch. I have an Ardbeg 10, which is on the extreme opposite end, and if that were my only experience with peated whiskey, I'd give up on them. Fortunately, I found this one and really like it. Even if you're not a fan of peated whiskey, I recommend trying it because it's so approachable. BUY AGAIN? - I wouldn't say no, but I'd love to taste this at cask strength!

Appearance: Honey-gold hue. Slow, thin, irregularly spaced legs. Nose: Abundant honey and sweet notes. A good measure of oak and vanilla. A faint, deep scent of... Froot Loops. Curious. Taste: A pleasant subtle smoke. A rather brief finish; good body. Acceptable, sweet, and vanilla. A hint of bitter lemon oil. Warming alcohol. Nose after dilution: Significantly more fruitiness emerges with added water. Alcohol fumes subside, and a light peat becomes apparent. Taste after dilution: With water, more smoke comes through, and the sweetness decreases. A slight lemon note returns at the finish. A commendable spirit. Not overly complex, but nicely balanced.

43% ABV (North American Market) Chill Filtered and no added color. Body is medium to medium-light, color is light amber. NOSE: Honey, orange zest, reminiscent of Mandarin oranges, with a light peat presence. PALATE: Honeyed heather leading into mid-sweet oranges, a silky texture, and a hint of sweet smoke appearing at the end. FINISH: Medium length, mouthwatering, with a lingering taste of slightly smoked orange peel. A well-rounded whiskey with sweet and spicy notes, and just a touch of smoke. It's always a favorite when I'm undecided on what I want or when I'm with a friend just starting with peated whiskey. A regular for me as long as the price remains reasonable.

Nose: mixed fruit, recently struck flint Palate: vanilla, subtle pineapple, heather peat Finish: brief and clean, mild coal smoke appears, a whisper of white pepper, vanilla, and far in the background strawberry menthol and orange blossom. This is straightforward, good, and exceptionally smooth at 43% ABV, making it an ideal 12-year-old daily sipper. (As this rests in the glass for about 15 minutes, pineapple becomes noticeable on the nose, and after several sips, it starts to develop on the finish as well. Eventually, as the flavor intensifies with repeated "chewing," the finish finally picks up some baking spices like cinnamon).

I wanted to enjoy this; ex-sherry casks and different peat profiles sounded promising. However, I had significant fears it wouldn't deliver. The bottle and packaging are appealing; I admire the design. And the closure is a fantastic idea, combining half a screw cap with half a cork. The anticipation and apprehension grew. With the initial aroma, I detected a Talisker-like quality. That's positive; I appreciate that. Peaty, salty sea air, honey, and heather. And the taste? I'm pleased to report it delivered. Smooth, a little spicy, light peat, and sea breeze with a balanced sweetness that isn't overpowering. Light, tasty, like a winter sunrise. I'm not disappointed.

NOSE: Charred orange peel, smoked meat, honey, and other citrus notes. PALATE: Starts sweet and citrusy, then surprisingly delivers savory smoke in the middle before honey leads into the finish. FINISH: Brief but satisfying. The palate's journey ends abruptly, making you reach for another sip. I use this whisky to introduce friends to peat and have turned several into lifelong Highland Park fans. My bottle is nearly empty, and it's been a pleasure to keep on hand.