Highland Park Thor

I still had one bottle from Highland Park's "Valhalla Collection" left to review. The time has arrived. This is Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Today, this mythical figure is primarily recognized from Marvel Comics, but during the Viking age, he was the preeminent god alongside Odin. He often carries a hammer named Mjölnir (which looks nothing like the one in the Avengers films), a potent artifact created by two dwarf smiths. This is a 16-year-old whisky presented in a stunning decanter, accompanied by a wooden Nordic boat. It's bottled at 52.1% ABV. On the nose: Peaches and dried oranges. Heather, peat, and lemon. Dates. Meringue candies with peaches. After the initial taste, the aroma transformed into an intensely spicy profile, with notes of Indian curry. Further sips made the aroma sweeter, resembling crème brûlée. The palate is peaty and acidic. Ash and oranges. The second taste again evoked that sensation similar to Indian food. The third taste was remarkably sweet, like meringue. The aftertaste was a bit brief. It begins with tropical notes, like Jamaican punch, and some acidity. The second taste had a slightly longer finish, with peppery and salty notes. Overall, this was the most expensive of the four expressions (Loki, Odin, and Freya are the others), but it's also the one I enjoyed the least. It's not a bad whisky by any means, but it isn't exceptionally memorable. I find it to be good but lacking a certain 'soul'. My rating is a fair 88 out of 100.

Overall: Great appearance, the aroma is intriguing yet confusing, hiding the potency found in the taste and aftertaste. A gift from a friend! Color: Pale amber Nose: Honey and leather, aged paper, vanilla fudge, lemon butter, malt and damp wood, allspice, tart cherries, curry powder, a touch of peat and smoke Body: Medium to full, coats the mouth, lingers on the glass and tongue Taste: Sweet peat and zesty smoke erupt, with spicy malt throughout, burning wax, becoming drier near the end, impressive intensity Finish: Extended, gentle smoke, woody and spicy notes persist for a good while with vanilla appearing

A slightly charred barrel on the aroma, with hints of smoke and chocolate, in the same scent family as the 18-year-old ultimately, but younger and less developed. The flavor profile is more expressive, still dark chocolate and smoke, but with orange and some herbs. A complex and nuanced profile, but perhaps a bit less memorable than anticipated. In short, definitely in the same vein as their excellent 18-year-old, but with a touch less depth in the end.

Intense fruit on the nose. On the palate, it resembles an older, classic Highland Park with significant sherry influence and very subtle peat. It might lack the full body I anticipated from Thor. Rated 95 points.

A straightforward but enjoyable whiskey. It's a refreshing change from spirits that try too hard to be sophisticated. The price was a bit high.

The third dram of the day! Celebrating World Whisky Day, May 16, 2015.