Continuing its viking-themed releases, Highland Park has announced a new special-edition single-malt Scotch: Valknut.
In partnership with Danish designer Jim Lyngvild, Highland Park Valknut is the second in a series of three Viking Legends releases inspired by the Viking heritage and mythology of Highland Park’s Orkney Islands home. The first expression, Valkyrie, was released in mid-2017.
“Viking sagas tell of the Valkyries, the fierce angels of Norse mythology who combed the battlefields for the bravest fallen warriors. Vikings who met an honorable death were marked out by the symbol of the Valknut and spirited away by the Valkyries to Valhalla to join Odin’s mighty army and prepare for Ragnarok, the battle of the end of the world,” the company explains in a press release. Valknut means “knot of those killed in battle” and is represented by three interlinked triangles.
On the nose of Valknut (46.8% ABV) are toasted vanilla pods, cracked black pepper, oak shavings, cloves, anise and aromatic smoke, the company reports. The palate contains cloves with hints of anise before a finish of aromatic peat smoke and sweet spices.
“Valknut is a bolder, more intense style of Highland Park with a drier and smokier profile and a higher ABV than Valkyrie,” says Jason Craig, Highland Park’s global brand director. “It has been matured predominantly in American sherry seasoned oak casks with a slightly higher phenolic level compared to Valkyrie. We’ve also used a small amount of Orkney-grown tartan barley, which adds to its smokier edge and lingering sweet, spicy finish.”
Valknut is available at an suggested retail price of of $80 per 750-ml. at select retailers nationally.
Highland Park Valknut will be succeeded by Valfather, the final expression in the Viking Legends trilogy.
