Highland Park Odin 16 Year Old Valhalla Collection

Tasting Notes

• Tasting Notes by Stuart P

  • Nose

    Almost refined, by Highland Park standards, with toasty honeycomb, marshmallows over an open fire, red-berry fruit, strawberry Fruitella sweets and pink peppercorns. The smoke is there, but lurking in the background.

  • Palate

    Way more robust than the nose, this delivers a big, bold whack of peat and smoke initially, then starts to reveal complex, mouth-filling notes of bitter chocolate, old books, honeycomb and finally, the fruit (red-fruit compote and a hint of candied orange peel). I also get an earthy note – plenty to contemplate here.

  • Finish

    Red-berry fruit is the dominant note, then the peat smoke takes hold. Nice that the fruit makes itself heard among all that fire and brimstone.

• Tasting Notes by Billy A

  • Nose

    Rich and leathery, with concentrated dried fruit, dark oak and hints of marzipan. As it sits, stewed apples and cinnamon develop, with the sweeter notes balanced by charred oak and a touch of fresh polished leather boot.

  • Palate

    The leatheriness of the nose comes through at the start, with a strong savoury, umami note. Old oak, forest floors and damp earth dominate to start, with sweet fruit cake. The fruit cake doesn't stay sweet, with burnt edges and charred raisins joining with barrel char and earthy smoke to provide a savoury kick on the mid-palate, although sweetened with some liquorice and chocolate touches.

  • Finish

    Soft and sweet, with spiced apple, honeysuckle and sponge-cake batter initially. However, the darker and spicier notes build, with barrel char and damp earth joined by lingering woody spice.

  • Comment

    A rich and dark end to the Valhalla Collection, jumping to the other end of the flavour spectrum to last year's Freya. A fitting final chapter.

• Producer's Tasting Notes

  • Colour

    Vivid burst of sunlight.

  • Nose

    This intense whisky possesses a fierce spice. Cinnamon bark and nutmeg rise from Odin’s spirit. Behind the spice, toasted walnuts smoulder with pulsating explosions of smoke. Odin cuts an ominous figure and this whisky is no different.

  • Palate

    A huge, powerful palate draws on the complexity of Odin’s character. Layers of peat uncover thousands of years of wisdom. Dense oak combines with rich charred walnuts.

  • Finish

    Throughout is a subtle sweetness, sharing the knowledge of well-seasoned sherry wines. Plums and soft fruit disappear into the dark as the peaty embers glow into a smoky finale.