.highland park - svein

40% abv, €40, single malt

Nose: wood, young, sweet, caramel, floral, violets, fruit, citrus, red grapefruit
Palate: sweet, caramel, vanilla, wood, pencil shavings, citrus, orange peel
Finish: warm, slight bitter, citrus, marmalade, medium long, metallic
Mark: +++/++


Conclusion: he's rather fruity for a warrior - nonetheless, this one is rather entertaining and has a friendly price-tag for a 1 litre bottle.

More info from the website: "Svein can best be described as the ultimate Viking chieftain and his spirit lives on through this release. Possessing a steely and ruthless determination alongside a fiery temper, Svein’s exploits lie at the very heart of the Orkneyinga saga, his appetite for adventure and merriment are legendary. As well as being a hardened, battle-scarred warrior, Svein’s reputation for hospitality showed no bounds. 

A whisky that displays Highland Park at its most convivial, Svein has been created to mirror the hospitable and generous nature of many of the Viking leaders, including its namesake. The whisky is lively and bright on the palate, with some bold smoky notes, alongside zesty citrus fruit and vanilla, all delivered from a high percentage of American oak casks, noted for their sweetness."

First expression of the 2013 Highland Park Travel Retail exclusive Warrior series.