Highland Park 15 Year Old Loki

Loki was the second release in the Valhalla Collection from Highland Park (Thor and Freya being the others). With a price tag of around 200 EUR (by now, at least), it is quite expensive, but the aficionados do not seem to mind. It is very pale.

The first thing that I notice on the nose is the big dose of peat. I am almost transported to Islay. Mineral elements (think wet rocks) as well as medicinal touches such as camphor and iodine. Leather. Reminds me more of Caol Ila than Highland Park, to be honest. I am also reminded of a farm. But where it the fruit? It takes quite a while before some oranges and honey come along. The spices on duty are ginger, vanilla, nutmeg and some aniseed. A bit atypical to say the least. Not a bad nose, but I expected a little more.

It is a whole different ballgame on the palate. It becomes big, spicy and sweet. Loads of citrus (both lemon, lime and oranges), sprinkled with ginger and curry! Midpalate it even becomes slightly tropical. Think pineapple, peach and mango. Quite zesty as well. The peat is doing its best and offers a grand smokiness that takes me to a bonfire on the beach.

The finish is pretty long, sweet versus salty, with that lingering big spiciness. Wonderful!

I was a tad worried on the nose, but on the palate and in the finish this dram proves again what a gem it truly is. In that sense, the name is apt, for according to Norse mythology, Loki is a dual and mysterious figure. This malt is that if nothing else!

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