Highland Park Earl Haakon

Product of: United Kingdom

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Officially released mid July 2011, this is the third and final release in Highland Park's Magnus Series. Earl Haakon is a vatting of 18 year-old cask strength Highland Park and only 3,300 bottles were released worldwide.

Earl Magnus was an 11th century Christian who shared the rule of Orkney with his cousin Haakon. Envious at the increasing popularity of his cousin, Haakon had his cousin brutally murdered. Haakon won the battle for Orkney and proved to be a warmongering, violent Viking. Thus this bottling represents the darker more sinister side of this whisky trilogy.

Presented in an open black wooden box, the black glass bottle by specialist bottle makers Stoelze Flaconnage features flaws, bubbles and an orange peel texture to mimic the look of a 150-year-old bottle.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 01/04/2011

Appearance:

Clear, copper with russet tones.

Aroma:

Pungent varnish, crystallised ginger and ginger cake nose with aromas of cassis, floral dandelion, lemon zest and flaked almond.

Taste:

Hydrated to approx. 40% abv yields a huge palate with dry cedar wood, smoky oak and vegetal notes balanced by burst of sweet vanilla followed by gently warning spice comprising ginger, red pepper corns, and paprika.

Aftertaste:

After the huge palate the finish is surprisingly restrained with lightly spiced lingering oak.