Island

Highland Park VALKNUT

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Highland Park VALKNUT
46.8% ABV
$80
Website

What the Distiller Says
In partnership with renowned Danish designer Jim Lyngvild, Highland Park VALKNUT is the second in a series of three Viking Legends releases inspired by the rich Viking heritage and mythology of Highland Park’s Orkney Islands home. The first expression, VALKYRIE, was released in mid-2017 to critical acclaim, winning the Ultimate Spirits Challenge’s highest accolade, the Chairman’s Trophy for Best in Category, with a 99/100 score.

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.

VALKNUT means “knot of those killed in battle” and is represented visually by three interlinked triangles. This symbol is closely associated with the Norse god Odin, who guided the spirits of the dead to Valhalla.

“VALKNUT is a bolder, more intense style of Highland Park with a drier and smokier profile and a higher ABV than VALKYRIE. It has been matured predominantly in American sherry seasoned oak casks with a slightly higher phenolic level compared to VALKYRIE,” says Jason Craig, Highland Park’s Global Brand Director. “We’ve also used a small amount of Orkney-grown tartan barley, which adds to its smokier edge and lingering sweet, spicy finish.”

Nose: Toasted vanilla pods, cracked black pepper, oak shavings, cloves, anise, aromatic smoke
Palate: Sweet, aromatic cloves join forces with tangy hints of anise
Finish: Intensely balanced and bold; leaves a lingering memory of aromatic peat smoke and sweet spices

What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich smokey sweetness, dark fruit, vanilla, anise, subtle spice notes beneath wisps of sea air and brine.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, sweet with raisins, cloves, almonds and a subtle earthiness.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with smoke and pepper spice.
Comments:  Very nice! Balanced, less sherry-forward than Highland Park 12 or 18 yr, but with that sea air/smokiness that I love in their offerings. I find more complexity on the nose than in the palate, but nothing off-putting in either – and both are well balanced. I think fans of Highland Park are unlikely to be disappointed!
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Highland Park and Forte Mare for sending us a sample to review.

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Ledaig Signatory 9 Year

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Ledaig 9 yr Cask Strength
(Signatory, 1st fill sherry butt, cask no 900146)
56.8% ABV
$90
Website

What the Seller Says
A nine-year-old Ledaig from Signatory as part of the Cask Strength Collection. Distilled in 2005, this peated whisky was aged in a first-fill sherry butt, a combination that has produced superb indie bottlings.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Thick sherry with dark fruit, peat, smoke and sea air.
Palate:  Rich mouthfeel, sweet peat, sherried stewed fruit, molasses with a sharp pepper bite.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with some pepper spice.
Comments:  I bought this on a recommendation that I seek out young Ledaig in sherry. I’m glad I listened, as this is delicious! While this doesn’t need water, it holds up well to it – maintaining the rich mouthfeel – and it subdues the pepper edge a bit. If you like smoke, peat, and sherry – I’d absolutely look for this or something similar.
Rating: Must Try

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Jura 18 Year Single Malt

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Jura 18 Year Single Malt
44% ABV
$125
Website

What the Distiller Says
A timeless 18 Year Old malt whisky finished in red wine casks, guaranteed to complete any collection
They say time and tide wait for no man. On Jura, by contrast, time is stretched by the changing seasons and tempered by its unique microclimate, with each passing year bringing its own riches. Matured for eighteen long years in American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels and enriched by superior Premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels, a unique spirit is created that has truly come of age.

COLOR: Rosewood gold
NOSE: Aromas of toffee, tropical fruits and cinnamon
TASTE: Flavours of rich black forest fruit, cocoa and coffee

What Gary Says
Nose:  Rich, thick musty sherry with raisins and currants; hint of cinnamon and brown sugar (like a freshly baked pastry) with a bit of smoke.
Palate:  Creamy viscous mouthfeel; sweet dark fruits with chocolate over orange and citrus notes before moving into some baking spices and pepper spice on the back.
Finish:  Moderately long and slowly drying.
Comments:  This is definitely a single malt matured in sherry, but not a sherry bomb. Some lovely chocolate notes and with the sherry still being prevalent but not overwhelming – it allows other flavors to shine. At 18 years old, the sherry can easily become too much, and they’ve done a nice job of keeping it in check. Appreciate the 44% ABV bottling too, and am elated to see higher proofs starting to become more common. This has a lovely balance, and it wears its age well – the sweet, chocolate spicy notes are the star with the oak being subtle to where I don’t really notice it (which is in my wheelhouse).
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Jura and The 5th Column PR for sending us a sample to review.

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Jura Seven Wood

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Jura Seven Wood
42% ABV
$75
Website

What the Distiller Says
Inspired by the tenacity and ingenuity of the people of Jura, Jura Seven Wood is a testament to the skill of our whisky makers and island community. Influenced by seven select French and American Oak barrels for a rare balance and depth with a hint of smoke, this is a single malt with intriguing complexity. Seven Wood is initially matured in first-fill American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels. It is then further enhanced by six hand selected French Oak casks – Limousin, Tronçais, Allier, Vosges, Jupilles & Les Bertranges casks.

These casks have never held any wine prior to being procured by our whisky making team. Through these, we find increased complexity and rare tropical richness from the French oak to develop a unique style of single malt whisky. The result is a more intense flavour experience, amplified by a higher ABV of 42%, showcasing peach aromas, candied orange to taste and a subtle smoke finish.

COLOR: Mahogany gold
NOSE: An aromatic fusion of coffee, ginger spice and a hint of milk chocolate
TASTE: Caramelized peach, chewy licorice and candied orange with a hint of sea-spray and smoke

What Gary Says
Nose:  Musky & smoky sweetness; dark fruit notes over worn leather; mixture of traditional oak notes with some green wood.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel with ripe peaches, pears, and drizzled honey with a sprinkle of cinnamon; sharpens a tad with a unique oak-spice note.
Finish:  Moderately long and gentle.
Comments:  This is my first experience with one of Jura’s whiskies, but it won’t be my last – this is a delightful dram! Very well rounded – not too sweet, not too oaky, and a lot of flavor at 42% ABV. I always try to make my nosing/tasting notes prior to reading other reviews or materials to avoid “power of suggestion”. I made a note wondering if one of the containers was sherry (it isn’t), but that is the type of dark fruit flavors I pick up; although less intense than a straight-up sherry matured single malt. The various French oak casks definitely bring an interesting spice dimension (more holiday-type spices than your savory pepper notes). If you’re a whisky geek – I’d look for an opportunity to try it!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Jura and The 5th Column PR for sending us a sample to review.

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Talisker Storm

/ / Island, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky
45.8% ABV
$35 to $85 (prices on this seem to swing wildly – $35 at Binny’s and $85 at Total Wine)
Website
Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch Whisky
What the Distillery Says:
Talisker Storm offers the drinker Talisker’s full maritime majesty, all unfettered elemental power and confidence.

Appearance: Full gold.
Nose: Powerful, fresh-clean and growing in complexity like a gathering storm to reveal a sweet maltiness with ripe red berry fruit. Eventually well integrated mellow smoke drifts across the scene as a wild sea turns up briny, fresh clean notes, and an oily explosion of pepper.
Body: Medium.
Palate: At first mellow and rich in the mouth then quickly very spicy and increasingly stormy as the Talisker heat comes through. It’s as if the pure, tongue-coating sweetness joins hands with a deep nutty smokiness to embrace those spicier notes. The flavour is elegantly drawn out with a good balance between sweetness, smoke and salt, which is all the more evident when a little water is added.
Finish: Drier and of medium-length, with a lasting, smooth aftertaste, in which light peaty burnt embers can be found.

What Richard Says:
Nose: Brine forward with a salty earthy feel. It’s a lot more peaty than it is smokey. If you’ve ever smelled dried peat as opposed to peat smoke you will know what I mean.
Palate: Over ripe fruit sweetness pushes forward with a smokey back. The salty sea air and rich dark earthiness fill in the edges.
Finish: Saltines and campfire ashes.
Comments: A very nice dram. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Depending on where you find this in terms of price (note the wide range) it could either really be worth it ($35), of moderate interest ($60), or of only passing interest to the Talisker enthusiast ($85). I don’t think that this brings new dimensions or depth to the Talisker stable. I would probably try it at a bar before buying it at higher prices unless you just love everything Talisker puts out.
Rating: Stands Out

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