5.1.2019

Whisky has become a bit of a passion of mine over the last couple of years, as I've tried to move away from beers, ciders and “long” drinks that contain lots of calories and aren't particularly good for anybody trying to maintain a healthy weight. I've always enjoyed whisky (and whiskey) and single malts, sipped neat (without ice), are my preferred product. My current “go to” whisky that I try to always have in the cupboard is Cardhu Gold Reserve, but I'm also partial to Jura and Glenfiddich's 12 year old single malt. As I'm not rich beyond my wildest dreams, I tend to go for a quality, but affordable bottle that will last me a few months. Highland Park Valknut would probably be out of my price range,but when I was offered the chance to try a bottle for the price of a review, there was no way I was going to turn down that opportunity!It comes in a very luxurious black and blue presentation box which gives a very expensive feel to the product, before you've even got the bottle out. It also has lots of text on it about the inspiration for the whisky, what the maker was aiming for and, frankly, it comes across as being slightly pretentious. To surmise, it's made in partnership with Jim Lyngvild, a Danish designer, but – more importantly – it's distilled in Orkney, is made with a higher proportion of peated malt than your usual whisky and is matured in sherry seasoned oak casks to impart a sweet, smoky flavour onto the spirit. It also has more ABV than your regular scotches, coming in at an impressive 46.8% alcohol by volume.Pouring a small glass, after removing the classy cork stopper, it has a beautifully light, yet rich, golden colour. Putting your nose into the tumbler, you get an instant hit of that high alcohol content in your mouth, invading your olfactory senses as well as the accompaniment of the whisky's strong, smoky aroma. Now, the all important taste. The overwhelming first mouthful brings uncompromising fire, smokiness and bold character. This isn't a smooth, tame whisky, but neither is it unpleasantly bitter or over-heavily peaty. It attempts and achieves a balance of the kind of flavours that make a great whisky great, with a massive peppery fire-laden hit of alcohol in the process.Once the firewater has danced its way down your throat, there is also a slight tobacco aftertaste, with the lingering smoke flavour spread across your tongue. This isn't really a drink you would eat anything with; this is the kind of scotch that demands the full attention of your taste buds with every mouthful and, unless you were thinking of a similarly uncompromising cheese such as Stilton, I personally would stick to simply relishing the taste of each and every sip of Highland Park Valknut without any further complication.Yes, this is a great whisky. I wish I could afford to buy this regularly, but I think this will have to be a very occasional treat. For those who have the kind of budget to treat themselves to whisky of this quality, I don't think you would consider it a waste of your money. Taste is a very personal thing, of course, but the rich, complex flavours of this single malt scotch, together with its distinct characteristics and undoubted quality makes this the kind of robust, flavoursome spirit that every whisky lover will want to try at least once.

11.1.2019

I have been fortunate to visit this distillery on a visit to the Orkney Islands in July 2018; well worth a visit for the Kirkwall church alone, let alone the Iron Age settlements and of course this distillery. The distillery itself is unique and warrants a visit if you are fortunate to visit this beautiful island and meet the really nice people.So onto the whisky. Having attended a tasting session at Highland Park and wobbled out, I was familiar with the slightly stronger whisky which they produce and have only just finished a bottle of Viking Tribe, which I actually preferred to this Valknut. All whisky takes time to appreciate and this bottle I no exception - it is obviously very different to what you might purchase in a supermarket or a pub.

9.6.2019

As a relatively new member of the whisky club I've been slowly building up a collection of single malts and, already owning a bottle of Highland Park 12 year old Viking Honour, I was keen to see how the Valknut compared being fairly expensive in comparison.Also of interest to me is the Danish connection, since I have family in Denmark and visit every few years. Valknut was created in partnership with Danish designer Jim Lyngvild (but can't honestly say I'd heard of him), who according to the box lives in a castle he designed himself in the Danish village of Faaborg (where I have visited in the past, the town that is not his castle!)You can see in my picture how the Valknut compares in appearance to the cheaper Viking Honour.

7.1.2019

Single Malt Scotch Whisky comes in an ever-increasing range of varieties from distilleries on the Scottish mainland and the many surrounding islands - Highland Park is from an island. Produced on Orkney at the Kirkwall distillery this Valknut single malt is intended to reflect the Viking heritage and influence around that part of the world. This is a strong whisky at 46.8% alcohol-by-volume – regular strength for the UK market is usually 40% with export strength around 43% - so Valknut offers quite an extra kick. Not everyone looks for the same things in their single malts and this premium Highland Park Valknut whisky puts it's Nordic ancestry to the forefront with it's partnership with Danish designer Jim Lyngvild.

4.1.2019

Malt whisky is all a matter of personal taste and, to a great extent, when you are drinking a particular malt.I thought it a good idea to compare this whisky (called "Viking" for the rest of this review) against another first rate Orkney malt, the Highland Park 12 year old (called the "12" for the rest of this review).First of all, I must say that I really like both varieties, however it depends on my mood as to which is the better at any given time. The 12 is smooth, well rounded and light on the palette, whereas the Viking has a much heavier, and deeper, flavour with the addition of a noticeable smokiness to it.The title of this review implies a halfway house; this pertains to the level of smoke and peat.

7.1.2019

Presentation is excellent -strong design on the box, with background to the concept and description of the whisky; attractive bottle design.The bouquet from the first glass poured was not overwhelming,a pleasant promise. I take a single measure and one ice cube, allowing some melting and dilution. Heat and peat is the initial impression. Subtle notes of vanilla and a hint of butteriness on the tongue; no doubt the result of maturing in sherry seasoned casks.This is a whisky to savour and take time over. It's one I would keep for the evening and late reflection with some classical musical so I am not distracted by flavours of food or the brain engaged with visual entertainment.

3.1.2019

This is the second (after "Viking Tribe") of three new Highland Park bottlings prominently employing Viking imagery. "Tribe" I thought a little harsh, perhaps inchoate; as it had no age statement one expects that it is quite young.This "Valknut" similarly has no age statement. For something being sold for a whopping sixty quid you'd probably expect it to be considerably aged and for the marketing to make a point of the age. If that's not the case there would have to be something particularly special about it to justify the price tag.We have a more mellow and rounded whisky here than "Tribe" - best described as sweet, smoky (more peaty than normally expected from Highland Park), and warming on the finish.

5.10.2019

This is one of two whiskies from the brand I received to try. I drink whisky with my Dad, and it's become our shared ritual. This one is delicious - we definitely preferred it to the Viking Tribe version from the same label. The whisky has a nice, pale colour (initially concealed by the black-sided bottle, Dad tends to prefer single malts that are on the paler side, so this was a welcome discovery), and is quite smokey. Despite the smoky elements, this makes for quite a smooth tipple: there's an almost creamy note of vanilla running through this, soft fruits, and a touch of citrus after-taste.This is much smoother drinking than Viking Tribe. Delicious either alone, over whisky rocks,

9.3.2019

Highland Park Valknut WhiskyThe whisky.This is a single malt whiskey from Highland Park. It comes in attractive packaging and the bottle design is unique.Process.This whisky is derived from malt for Orkney and made with Cracked black pepper, Oak shavings, Cloves, Aniseed, Aromatic peat smoke. This Valknut Whisky was designed by Jim Lyngvild.Colour.It is quite light in colour.Drinking.I always have Whisky neat and feel it is sacrilege to add anything. This one has a very strong and complex taste and you can appreciate the complexity that has gone into its creation. I like the strength and the many flavours it leaves lingering in your mouth. This is the type of Whisky I really like.

10.1.2019

This is really nice Whisky. It comes in a nice presentation box so would also make a lovely gift. The bottle is black glass, which is a shame as you can't immediately see the colour of the whisky, and you also can't easily see how much is left in the bottle, you literally have to hold it up to a very strong light!I don't get all of the flavours that are described on the box. I couldn't taste the black pepper or aniseed, however, it does have a really nice subtle smokey flavour, it's not in your face, but it adds a really nice dimension to the taste. It has a big bold taste over all so if you're into your really smooth whisky, this may not be the best choice,

7.2.2019

My husband, a Scot, has always favoured the Orkney Highland Park label. He likes the power and smoothness of their whiskies. With his birthday approaching, this looked like a really good buy and I wasn't wrong. Not only is the box rather sexy, more importantly, but this is also produced in partnership with Jim Lyngvild.It is strong, so buyer beware, but a little goes a long way. Jim Lyngvild is Danish and brings Orkney's Viking link into play. It certainly isn't a cheap malt, but I too am a malt fan and this is one we will both continue to enjoy. The flavour is deep and to my mind (and my husband's) a drop or two of water makes the flavour bloom even more intensely without losing smoothness.Every malt has its fans but this is,

9.1.2019

I could pick out the sherry notes from the finishing casks and this was also noted in the dark colour. There was a sweetness to it and a softness that reminded me of Old Grouse for some reason.It has a little burn on the finish which was to be expected from a whisky that is nearly 47%. A tiny drop of cold water or letting an ice cube melt reduces the harshness of the burn.I wasn't taken at first, but I had eaten some spicy food and the whisky was exaggerating the heat on my tongue. A few days later and a cleaner palette and the taste was a lot better. Something toffee and caramel like, but I am not great orator of flavours. It is a decent whisky and something I would happily produce for friends.

29.5.2019

I'm no die hard whisky nutter, but I do love a good whisky. I can even spell it correctly! This, to me, tastes of the stuff they claim it does, it's not too warm, just right and isn't too light or dark in colour and transparency.The packaging and bottle look great, as one expects from branded and credible whiskys these days.Price wise, at time of review it's £46 so is positioning itself as a reasonably high-end whisky. Does it deserve this market position? Perhaps. It sure is nice. But I still prefer stronger more peaty whiskys, so to me, this won't replace the likes of another particular brand that I drink. It is good though.Highly recommended. And tasty.

2.6.2020

This was my 1st peaty whisky in a while; and I've definitely missed those flavours. I'm certainly no expert, and I'm not sure I have the most refined palette, but this was lovely. There's definitely peat and smoke, and a toastyness to the flavour, nothing is too overpowering. There's a little bit of heat, not unpleasant, which can be softened with a touch of water. One of the best aspects of this whisky is the texture, or mouthfeel, it has a thickness, it really coats your mouth, even with a splash of water.

29.1.2019

Having tried and enjoyed a cheaper Highland Park, I was looking forward to trying this "superior" offering. It is decent. At over 46% proof it is strong, yet is super smooth and not too harsh to drink neat. Crisp and clean, there's not too much peatiness. It's very very enjoyable. However, the price is noticeably more than other Highland Park whiskies, and whilst it drinks very nicely indeed, I cannot say for the additional price that the whisky is noticeably better!

Highland Park Valknut 0,7l 46,8% - Reviews

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