Highland Park release Valfather, its most peated whisky to date
Highland Park single malt Scotch Whisky has launched a special edition whisky, Valfather, the final part of the Viking Legend series inspired by the Orkney based distillery’s Viking history.
The trilogy highlights the journey to Ragnarök, the battle at the end of the world and has inspired the packaging and taste profiles of the whiskies created by Highland Park’s master whisky maker, Gordon Motion.
Valfather, named after Odin, the mightiest of the Norse Gods, is the distillery’s most peated release to date. Created using whisky matured in refill casks to reflect the ethereal and lighter feel of Valhalla, Odin’s hall, the whisky’s higher phenolic level displays Odin’s power.
Gordon Motion, master whisky maker, Highland Park, said: “Valfather and the whiskies in the Viking Legend series uses more of our heavily peated malt, making the series more like cousins, rather than a brother or sister to the core range. Overall, this whisky is the richest and smokiest in taste profile compared to the rest of the series and our classic whiskies.
“As well as our hallmark aromatic peat smoke, it tastes of creamy vanilla, toasted cedar wood with a long floral aromatic finish offset by notes of crisp apple and sweet fragrant pear.”
The Viking Legend series rise in phenolic level throughout the collection and each have their own distinctive taste profile. Valkyrie the first in the series, uses predominantly European sherry seasoned oak, while Valknut uses American sherry seasoned oak and Orkney’s tartan barley.
Inspiration for the packaging design came from the ancient picture stones from Stora Hammars in Gotland, Sweden. The brand has partnered with Danish designer, Jim Lyndvild, to bring the collection to life.
Valfather will be released globally from August 2019. To find out more visit: www.highlandparkwhisky.com
Notes
About Highland Park Valfather:
RRP: £60
ABV: 47%
Volume: Available in 70cl and 75cl depending on region
Natural colour
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Natural colour, bright gold
Nose: Crisp apple with sweet fragrant pear
Palate: Creamy vanilla crème brulee with toasted cedar wood and warming paprika
Finish: Long floral smoke perfectly offset by notes of fresh fruit
About Highland Park, the Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul:
Whisky has been distilled at Highland Park in Kirkwall, Orkney since 1798. Founder Magnus Eunson, was a direct descendant of Vikings who settled in Orkney over 1,000 years ago. A butcher and church officer by day and a bootlegger and smuggler by night, he set up an illegal whisky-making operation at a little bothy (a stone hut) at High Park, overlooking Kirkwall.
It is still the site of the distillery today and although we say Highland Park was founded in 1798, that’s actually the year the authorities finally caught up with Magnus.
Few trees survive the gale-force winds on Orkney. This makes the island peat woodless and rich in heather. This then helps create the trademark Highland Park flavour profile of aromatic smoky peat and sweet heather honey.
About Jim Lyngvild:
Jim is a Danish designer and a true Viking. His Viking lineage includes his 36th great grandfather Ragnvald Eysteinsson who was the 1st Earl of the Orkney Islands. He can trace his family tree all the way back to the 8th century.
Today, Jim lives in a Viking inspired castle which he designed himself in the Danish village of Faaborg. He is well-known for his creativity and vivid imagination.
A successful businessman and designer of many things including part ownership of Frejdahl, a Danish Brewery.
