Highland Park Drakkar Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Highland Park Distillery, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation: The whisky showcases the distillery's characteristic use of sherry casks, contributing to its flavor profile. The exact age statement is not provided, but the dark color suggests it could be 12 years or older, potentially mixed with younger casks for more vibrant aromas.
ABV: 40%.
Color and Clarity: Dark color, suggesting significant maturation; not artificially colored.
Bottle Design: Features imagery reminiscent of Viking longships, specifically the Drekkar, with a dragon-shaped figurehead, celebrating the distillery's Viking heritage.

Balance of Flavors: A complex and well-balanced whisky, combining smoke, fruitiness, and citrus zest.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky is distinguished by its non-medicinal, peat-dried barley smoke, reminiscent of a wood fire on the seashore, alongside dark fruitiness from sherry casks and sweet oranges with a slight citrus zest. The aftertaste is strong, with oakiness, dark fruits, hints of coffee, and persistent orange notes.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its unique combination of seaside smoke, sherry cask influence, and citrus zest sets it apart.

Distillery Visit: Horst Luening recounts his visit to the Highland Park Distillery in 2004, guiding a group of enthusiasts and highlighting the distillery's malting floors, still house, and old wooden buildings.
Viking Influence: The whisky celebrates Highland Park's distinctive Viking heritage, with the Orkney Islands having been colonized by Norsemen in the 8th century. The Drekkar, or dragon-headed longship, symbolizes this connection.

Viking Heritage: The Orkney Islands' history of Viking colonization and the distillery's celebration of this heritage through the whisky's branding and storytelling emphasize its cultural significance.
Distillery History: Highland Park, established in 1798, is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries, adding to its historical and geographical importance.

"A wonderful aroma, this is a whisky I like the very best."
"The second sip is much better than the first one, and the aromatic nose is wonderful, beautiful."
"Whenever you get your fingers on this bottle, take it. It's worth it."

Highland Park Drakkar is a single malt Scotch whisky with a 40% ABV, celebrating the distillery's Viking heritage.
It features a complex flavor profile of seaside smoke, dark fruitiness from sherry casks, and sweet citrus zest, with a well-balanced and long aftertaste.
The whisky's storytelling and cultural significance are deeply rooted in the Orkney Islands' Viking history and the distillery's establishment in the 18th century.
Expert opinions highlight the whisky's exceptional aroma, flavor, and overall quality, recommending it highly to enthusiasts.

For History and Culture Enthusiasts: Individuals interested in the rich history and cultural significance of the Orkney Islands and Viking heritage will find this whisky particularly appealing.
For Flavor Chasers: Those who appreciate a complex and well-balanced flavor profile, combining smoke, fruitiness, and citrus, will enjoy Highland Park Drakkar.
For Collectors: Given its unique bottle design and limited availability (intended for travel retail), collectors seeking rare or distinctive bottles may find this whisky a valuable addition to their collection.