Highland Park 10 Year Old - Viking Scars 70cl Whisky

“It is always difficult for me to rate Scotch because it first needs to be classified, for example, by how rare it is, how many years it has been aged, price, popularity etc.... Clearly If I compare Highland Park's Viking Scars aged 10 years to The Dalmores 1964 Constellation Collection aged 46 years, then Viking Scars couldn't even stand on the same stage, if comparing those 2 scotch's, then Viking scars would get ⅕ of a star at best! If comparing to really cheap Scotch such as Johnie Walker Red label, Then Viking Scars would get at least 5 stars plus an additional 5 stars for the style of the bottle, and 5 more stars because when comparing Viking Scars to J.W Red, you realize that J-W Red is anything but scotch. Therefore to level the playing field, It should be compared to Cardhu, Seavus Regal, Glennfidich 12 year Single malt, all Whiskeys within the same price range, years aged, and a mix of single and blended malts. When Highland Parks Viking Scars sits in place with its equals, it can be rated. Highland Park's Viking Scars is new on the market, which is unfortunate because like any newcomer to a group, not unlike people or animals, it needs to be a step up on the others just to prove it's self. However all things considered, name, style, taste on the palette, bouquet, and notes, It is definitely worth its price. The name and style points are both positive and negative, It is Scotch, however it also to the recent popularity of the vikings. The bottle is really nicely decorated, as is the box, so it deserves style points, ill give it a 5 for style, however Scotch is Scottish, not Viking, therefore nicely decorated or not, the theme doesn't quite fit, so I'll drop 1.25 style points. Personally I like its bouquet, however this Scotch needs to breathe, I suggest allowing it to breathe for a while, if you do you will note that it has a vanilla/honey, bold coffee, mildly earthy, with hints of citrus and dark brown sugar, I give >t a 5 for bouquet, but dont forget to let it breathe a while. I enjoy the taste, I find it mildly sweet and creamy, slightly peaty and citusy, it is smooth, but also have some bite. The price for this Scotch is very good. I give it a 4, 4.5.”

Jaecen