Highland Park Harald

 Intro:

A combination of sherry seasoned American oak and European oak casks where used in the making of this Highland Park.

The name 'Harald' comes from a famous viking king.

This whisky is part of a series called "The Warrior Series" 

This series is only available in Duty Free shops but you can (with a little luck) also find it in your local store.

 

Price: around 50/60 €/$/£

 

Not Coloured - Chill Filtered

 

40% ABV (alcohol by volume)

 

Nose: 

There is this typical Highland Park smoke and earth right from the top.

Vanilla and honey are also present but in the back.

In there are also notes of seaweed, salt and some good old Orkney peat!

There is not a lot of sherry but there are some dried strawberries and raspberries.

There are spices present, but not a lot.

I would say some nutmeg with a little cinnamon.

The nose is nice but it's not deep or mature.

The notes that are there are nice and pleasant.

I don't get youthness but there aren't a lot of wood notes indicating it is old.

 

 

 

Palate:

The mouthfeel is nice, thick and creamy, it covers the whole mouth.

Vanilla, then come the spice and chocolate notes.

Chocolate and vanilla take over, it's really nice, in the end the spiciness comes back

Behind it all there is some malt with some herbs and a little flower.

The spiciness is at the tip of your tongue.

Peat is also there but not a lot, just enough to add complexity

In there is also some kind of juicy fruit... maybe some ripe pear or apple?

 

 

Finish/aftertaste:

The remembrance of spiciness remains pretty long.

There is some honey sweetness and some vanilla with a touch of wood.

It falls pretty short in the length department but its 'okay'

 

 

Water:

With water some notes disppear for me so I would just drink it neat.

 

 

Summary:

I wish this whisky had a higher abv., it would be something amazing....

What is going on is pretty basic but everything works well together.

It's a whisky that is relaxing.

This whisky is great for someone who is looking at a light peat adventure.

This is a solid dram and you will enjoy it no doubt!

 

(I find it interesting to guess how old this one is.

There is some young whisky in there for sure but, also there is some older whisky in there to add the extra bit of depth.)

 

9.0/10