Carrying on the peated whisky series...
Highland Park has gone through extensive rebranding recently. Killing Dark Origins, introducing the Valkyrie, redesigning all the bottles, etc. A larger emphasis on the Viking roots of Orkney, and less on the distinctiveness of Highland Park itself as a distillery. Why though? Is it because the Viking origins of Orkney makes for a more compelling tale that generates more metaphors that sell? Or is it some Orkney/Viking terroir thingy?
Highland Park has gone through extensive rebranding recently. Killing Dark Origins, introducing the Valkyrie, redesigning all the bottles, etc. A larger emphasis on the Viking roots of Orkney, and less on the distinctiveness of Highland Park itself as a distillery. Why though? Is it because the Viking origins of Orkney makes for a more compelling tale that generates more metaphors that sell? Or is it some Orkney/Viking terroir thingy?
According to the salesperson, the Valkyrie does not replace Dark Origins, merely continues the story. What? Was Magnus taken to Valhella? Heresy! He's a Christian preacher, for goodness sake. Can't assume that all Heavens are the same, can we? In any case, it would be fair enough to say that Dark Origins is getting discontinued, and the Valkyrie is new to the family.
The Valkyries take the fallen souls of warriors to glory, leaving behind a single plume, according to some video games/legends. Let's see if this whisky lives up to the glory of the warriors taken away, or is it like the plume - the poignant but ultimately inadequate remains of a warrior's former glories.
Highland Park Dark Origins (46.8%)
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| Picture snapped and dram tried at a sale. Valkyrie not in picture |
Colour - copper
Nose - Raisins and sherry - the casks really did their work on this one. But the sherry does not musk the honey, spice and smoky notes in this one. There's a bit of baked bread here as well.
Palate - A little rough around the edges. Is this young? Spicy on ginger and cinnamon. Lots of rich sherry, but the sherry sits on top of a bed of good, baked bread smothered in honey. The peat shows too, soft and heather-y. There's also a bit of stewed apples. The balance between peat and sherry is achieved to good effect.
Finish - Fairly long, but smoke and ginger is the dominant lasting note. Not a very complex or multi-dimensional finish, but this works and leaves a nice spicy tingle.
Highland Park Valkyrie (abv 45.9%)
Colour - copper. I think it's the same colour as the Dark Origins
Nose - Sweeter, and less smoke. More honey and vanilla, though the sherry is unmistakable too. Some toffee or chocolate. I think this is fairly straightforward...
Palate - Sweeter, smoother. Despite the fairly similar abv, this one feels a lot less alcoholic. The vanilla and honey masks much of everything else. This is velvety in texture too. Some smoke kicks in late, together with pepper, a touch of peat, and maybe some pepper and mangoes at the back.
Finish - Shorter, but with smoke and oak as the dominant notes this time.
Overall - I think the Dark Origins was the better whisky, though the flight of the Valkyrie is, of course, the better story. DO was more robust, more malty, and a longer finish. The Valkyrie is good, but feels like a M18 version of the Dark Origins, which is itself a tamer, sherrier take on the truly amazing HP18.
