Highland Park Loki, 15 years old / 48.7% / 0.7l

In 2012, the Highland Park series The Valhalla Collection debuted with a Thor edition .

The people of Orkney attach great importance to their heritage and beliefs, which in this case meant a nod to Scandinavia (Orkney was invaded and annexed by the Norwegians in 875, and Gaelic was never spoken there). Loki was released in 2013 as the second instalment of the Valhalla quartet . It bears the name of Thor’s half-brother, a mischievous schemer who constantly challenges the gods. The whisky spent 15 years in sherry casks and casks previously used to mature a heavily peated spirit, and the cask-strength edition consisted of 21,000 bottles.

Aroma : ever-changing, one moment salty and mineral, the next releasing notes of orange peel and apples; ginger and nutmeg immediately replace traces of tobacco and leather, peat smoke joins later.

Palate : fruity and smoky, apples, grapefruit, lemon peel, quince jam, honey, dark chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, sea salt and hints of licorice.

Finish : long and pleasant, vanilla salt, honey, cinnamon, lemon and orange peel, and peat smoke in the background.