Highland Park 10 Year Old - Viking Scars

Dunno why this 10 is more expensive than the “12”

Note that according to the folk in the Highland Park Distillery, this 10 YO is not simply a younger 12, it is blended differently for those strange souls who like mixing malt Whisky into cocktails and the like.

OK if that is your bag-but it ain’t mine !

17th June 2022

Fantastic! One of the best malts I have ever tasted. It lingers upon the tongue spinning many more mysteries!

10th June 2022

Tried 10 Yo and 12 Yo side by side in Kirkwall Hotel Whisky Bar. Noticeably different casking- not just an age difference.

Much preferred the 12 to the 10, the latter tasting half-way to a Burbon to me.

They also had the 15 Yo Cask Strength, @ £32 nip ! ( I bought a whole bottle for £230 at the HP Shop) and those were their cheap ones ! Some of the others would require a mortgage !

22nd May 2022

Relatively smooth but lacks any depth of taste. Rather than “peaty” it’s more compost. Bought for me as a gift but just can’t drink it.

31st December 2021

This is a very nice whisky. Salty sea and light smoke on the nose. Light mouthfeel which some of us whisky drinkers like, smoky malty full bodied taste and a really full on aftertaste. Many years ago HP had a 12 yo and a 15 yo and that was about it. They were great go to malts but for several years now HP has put out so many variants you don't know what is in the bottle. HP please go back to doing what you did best. Tradition is the Viking King.

10th December 2021

I bought two bottles on offer recently. This and a new bottle of Tali 10 as it has been a favourite. I’d take this over it any day now the new TAli has dropped heavily in value and the colour is comically dark compared to previous bottles.

This has all the burnt match notes with a lovely bit of Sherry sweetness.

If you see it on offer in the shops for ~£25 it’s a great buy. Good if you have people coming who like whisky and you don’t want them supping all your best bottles but still giving them a nice drop

20th November 2021

Had a bottle for my Birthday. I drink a wide range of Whiskies in this price range and age profile and I have to say that on first impressions this is one of the best. Love the smell, love the taste. As others have said it may be better if you let it rest or add a tiny few drops of water. Tastes and smells like it says on the box. Very drinkable.

15th November 2021

Surprised at the poor reviews. Mixes well with ginger ale, which I rarely use. I usually go for Balvenie Doublewood or Caribbean cask with a dash of water but got some of this on offer and thought to give it a try and glad I did. Not generally a fan of Highland Park, considering it to be one of the cruder, less expensive brands, akin to Bells etc' the 10 year old Viking Scars proved to be a pleasant, and far superior, product. Going to grab a case while the price is right.
In my opinion it is a good, general purpose drinking whisky. Smooth and satisfying.

12th November 2021

First impressions: (and I've not even let the bottle warm up)
Overwhelming rubber bands. There's a half-decent palate in there somewhere I hope because this is a HP after all. Not much nose either.
Three hours later the bottle is room temperature. Less rubber band but I seriously wonder now if I have a bad batch here. It's not peppery, it's harsh, rough and bitter.
Not at all what I've come to expect from HP and I've enjoyed most!
Honestly I think I'll be leaving this bottle in the back of the cupboard. Sorry HP, this is a poor one.

2nd November 2021

At £25 it's a decent drop. A bit Talisker like, but not as good. A little too much on the sherry sweet side, but does have salt and smoke. Not as integrated a taste hit as Talisker. I'd go £5 more for Talisker on offer. Nice enough though.

17th October 2021