Highland Park - Svein - Tasting Notes

Nose

Pine, fresh, raisin, pineapple, vanilla, raspberry, grapefruit, red berry's, strawberry, mint, lemon, sweet, orange. A bit malty and very light smoke in the back

Palate

Warm, sweet, light bitter, raisin, grapefruit, vanilla, sour berry, gooseberry. Something floral in there? Violets? Nasturtiums! Bit of chocolate on the finish

Finish

There is a medium length finish with a bit of wood dryness again, but also a lingering sweetness.

Sweet, floral, fruity (grapefruit, gooseberry) honey, and a bit smoke in the back

Score

7 out of 10. What does Highland Park tells us about this series and expression?

The Warrior Series is a range of six single malts whiskies showcasing the very best of Highland Park. Offering a spectrum of flavours but grounded in Highland Park’s gently smoky but surprisingly sweet character, the palate experiences a full flavour journey from start to finish, beginning with lighter vanilla and citrus flavours and moving to more complex, richer and sweeter flavours.

Highland Park has strong Viking roots and this is celebrated throughout the collection. Uniting legends and characters famed for their battle skills, The Warrior Series brings Highland Park’s dramatic heritage to life in a vivid and innovative way.

A whisky that displays Highland Park at its most convivial, Svein has been created to mirror the hospitable and generous nature of many of the Viking leaders, including its namesake. The whisky is lively and bright on the palate, with some bold smoky notes, alongside zesty citrus fruit and vanilla, all delivered from a high percentage of American oak casks, noted for their sweetness.

Svein can best be described as the ultimate Viking chieftain and his spirit lives on through this release. Possessing a steely and ruthless determination alongside a fiery temper, Svein’s exploits lie at the very heart of the Orkneyinga Saga, his appetite for adventure and merriment are legendary. As well as being a hardened, battle-scarred warrior, Svein’s reputation for hospitality showed no bounds.