Highland Park 16 Years Old Odin Valhalla Collection 55.8% NV

Distillerie	Highland Park
Embouteilleur	OB
Serie	Valhalla Collection
Mise en bouteille pour
Date de distillation	NV
Date de mise en bouteille	2014
Pays	Écosse
Région	Orkney
Age	16
Cask Type	Spanish Sherry Casks & Refill Hogsheads
Numéro de fût
Alcohol percentage	55.8
Volume
État	Caisse en bois originale
Étiquette	Parfait
Stock	0

Avis professionnels

Serge Valentin (86)

From a combination of firstfill sherry casks and refill hogsheads. As usual, all this Norse paraphernalia tends to leave us Latins rather cold, but after all, it’s the content that counts. I mean, the bottle's content, not the marketing content.

Colour: deep gold.

Nose: the sherry feels, and comes with some raisins soaked in kirsch as well as touches of gunpowder and nutmeg. Then we find more eau-de-vie-soaked cake (fruitcake with dates and figs), charcoal, burning pipe, struck matches and strong mead, with a fermentary side. It’s a little rough, perhaps, and may lack a bit of the luscious complexity of older sherried Highland Parks. With water: some kind of smoked stout, smoky mustard, walnuts… A wee feintiness, perhaps, but after tne minutes, more biscuits do emerge and it rather gets rounder.

Mouth (neat): rather hot and spicy. Cumin, pepper, bitter oranges, raisins, slivovitz, ginger. Rather gritty, with a slightly acrid smokiness. With water: the spices keep singing (nutmeg, caraway, ginger) and suggest some active oak’s been used. Smoky walnuts and more bitter oranges. Ginger liqueur.

Finish: rather long, peppery, slightly salty/smoky. Bitter oranges again in the aftertaste. Comments: very fine, rather powerful, but not very ‘polished’. The oak’s spices are a tad loud for my taste. Was that Odin’s personality?

Gal Granov (91)

Nose: big sherry notes up front. heaps of deep and sweet dried fruit with quite a bit of dark macerated cherries , a hint of balsamic , a dollop of new leather , berry jam and a bit of sugar. You also get cinnamon spice and a background of gentle smoke. Really well layered and very complex. What a start!

Palate: boom! That’s a big peaty spicy entry. I was not expecting that. It’s huge. He fruitiness comes back after a few seconds : loads of red berries, ripe and jam like. A bit of sulphur here too. Spent matches and brimstone as well as pepper and dark chocolate. More leather and old library books. Toasted oak.

Finish : chocolate. Cherries red fruit covered by smoke. Hints of plum jam and tobacco leaf.

Conclusion:

No doubt, for me this is BY FAR the best whisky of the Valhalla collection, It’s just excellent, Big, complex, interesting and full of deep flavours, and a brilliant amount of smoke and peat. truly “Furious” in its way, and highly enjoyable. PR or no PR (and this quite the PR campaign), whether you love the bottle and the ship or you hate the bottle and the ship, you have to admit : This is a brilliant dram. Way to go Highland Park. Period.

Words of Whisky (88)

Courtesy of Highland Park:

Colour:
Vivid burst of sunlight.
Entirely natural in colour, this whisky is a glowing representation of Odin’s distinct and mighty character.

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.

BOW (88)

A Whisky Fit for the Norse God

Introduction:
Highland Park, the renowned distillery from the Orkney Islands, proudly presents the Highland Park 16 Years Old Odin Valhalla Collection. This limited edition single malt Scotch whisky, bottled at a robust 55.8% ABV, pays homage to the mighty Norse god Odin and offers a whisky experience of divine proportions. Join us as we delve into the captivating world of Highland Park Odin and explore the remarkable features of this exceptional expression.

A Tribute to the Allfather:
Highland Park Odin is inspired by the commanding and wise persona of the Allfather Odin, the chief deity in Norse mythology. This expression from the Valhalla Collection embodies the essence of Odin, transporting whisky enthusiasts to a realm of power, wisdom, and mystique.

An Enchanting Flavor Journey:
The Highland Park 16 Years Old Odin Valhalla Collection takes the palate on an enchanting journey of flavors. Upon nosing the whisky, captivating aromas of dried fruits, dark chocolate, and spiced oranges intertwine, accompanied by hints of aromatic spices and oak.

The first sip of Odin reveals a majestic and complex flavor profile. Layers of rich, dark fruits, nutmeg, cinnamon, and roasted coffee beans dance on the tongue, creating a symphony of flavors that are both bold and harmonious. The long, lingering finish offers a delightful balance of sweetness and smokiness, leaving a lasting impression.

Craftsmanship and Maturation:
Highland Park is renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship, and the Odin Valhalla Collection showcases this expertise. The whisky is distilled in the distillery's traditional copper pot stills and matured in a carefully selected combination of sherry-seasoned European oak casks, delivering depth, richness, and complexity to the spirit.

A Collector's Delight:
The Highland Park Valhalla Collection, including the Odin expression, is a true collector's delight. Each bottle is a work of art, beautifully designed to embody the spirit of Odin and the grandeur of Norse mythology. With limited availability, this collection is a testament to the dedication of Highland Park to producing exceptional whiskies that evoke a sense of awe and reverence.

Conclusion:
Highland Park 16 Years Old Odin Valhalla Collection is a whisky fit for the Norse god himself. It captivates the senses with its enchanting flavors and embodies the strength, wisdom, and intrigue of Odin. With its exceptional craftsmanship, limited availability, and unique character, this expression stands as a testament to the artistry and passion of Highland Park. Whether savored on a special occasion or added to a cherished whisky collection, the Odin Valhalla Collection is a true treasure for whisky enthusiasts and a worthy tribute to the gods of old.