Highland Park "Viking Heart" 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
(Highlands, Scotland) - [IWSC 98]

Notes from the Distillery:

To create 15 Year Old Viking Heart, Gordon Motion, our Master Whisky Maker, selected predominantly sherry seasoned European oak casks to deliver warm, spicy notes and sherry seasoned American oak casks to provide a balance of sweet vanilla. Expertly adding just a few refill casks to soften and smooth the flavours, Gordon chose to bottle at 44% ABV to allow the whisky’s vibrant fruitiness and distinctive heathery peat smoke to shine through.

Why a ceramic decanter? Rewind a century or two and our whisky would have been stored in earthenware vessels. Inspired by examples found at our distillery in Orkney, we asked Wade Ceramics if they could work with us to create a modern version. Established in 1810 and based in Stoke-on-Trent in England (known globally as the traditional home of ceramics) Wade share our commitment to environmental responsibility, focusing on sustainable manufacturing and using locally sourced raw materials. The lead-free porcelain decanter is 100% food safe, glazed inside and out, and embossed with the lion and serpent design that appears on many of our glass bottles. Look closely at the back of the bottle and you’ll find the heart motif that inspired this whisky’s name.

88 Proof

Tasting Notes

This is a wonderfully rich and complex single malt. Opening with rich and spicy aromas of crème brulee, heather honey and crumbled cinnamon, intensely fruity notes follow - fresh pineapple dressed with a scattering of sun-kissed lemon zest. There’s a hint of freshly-baked sponge cake too, warm from the oven, and you’ll find cinnamon again, but toasted shards this time. Citrus and vanilla notes linger in the aromatic waves of peat smoke.

Ratings and Reviews:

Double Gold - SF World Spirits Competition 2022

Gold - Scotch Whiskey Masters 2022

98 Points - Intl Wine & Spirits Competition 2022

"Exquisitely fresh with divine flavours of ripened red apple, fragrant garden herbs and deep earthy peat. Long and lingering on the finish with a smattering of subtle spice and smooth creamy vanilla."

94 Points, Finalist - Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2022

"A full bouquet of sunbaked leather, dried sweet orange, tobacco, and smoked barley. Anchored with a rich smoky core, flavors of buttered toast, mellow allspice and clove, and warm vanilla are integrated in each [powerful sip. The finish is long with cinnamon and smoked clover honey."

90 Points - Whisky Advocate

"A fresh and enormously drinkable whisky; very silky, with honeyed malt, delicate citrus and berry fruit, floral notes (heather and lavender), and a hint of cocoa and sea spray."