Highland Park 12 Viking Honour: The Bridge Between Worlds
Neither purely peated nor purely sherried, Highland Park 12 stands at the crossroads of Scotch styles—and that's exactly what makes it indispensable.
Highland Park 12 Viking Honour occupies one of the most interesting positions in Scotch whisky: it's the bridge between the smoky intensity of Islay and the sweet richness of Speyside. Produced on Orkney—Scotland's northernmost whisky-producing island—Highland Park uses floor-malted barley dried over locally cut peat, then matures primarily in sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks. The result is a whisky that belongs to no single style, and is richer for it.
The nose is beautifully balanced: heather honey, dried fruit, and a gentle, floral peat create an opening that's inviting rather than aggressive. There's orange peel, marzipan, and a warming spice that signals the sherry-cask influence. The peat here is nothing like Islay's maritime smoke—it's sweeter, more floral, more integrated.
On the palate, Highland Park 12 delivers honey, heather, and a subtle peat smoke that weaves through dried fruit, cinnamon, and gentle oak. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and smooth at 43% ABV, with a warmth that comes from the balanced interplay of peat and sherry rather than raw alcohol. It's a remarkably well-integrated whisky for its age.
The finish is medium-long with honey, subtle smoke, and spice that fades into a clean, warming close. It's the kind of finish that satisfies without demanding attention—the hallmark of excellent balance.
At approximately $45, Highland Park 12 is a tremendous value. It's the Scotch we recommend when someone says "I want something with a little smoke but not too much"—a request more common than any distillery's marketing department would admit. If you only keep one Scotch in your cabinet, this is a compelling argument.
