Orkney Single Malt Valknut
⏳ wine.drinking_window
As a distilled single malt Scotch whisky, this spirit is bottled at its peak maturity and does not age further in the bottle. It is ready to be enjoyed immediately upon release and will remain in pristine condition for decades if stored upright in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Smoked wild salmon, mature blue cheeses such as Stilton, and rich dark chocolate truffles.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Highland Park, situated on the windswept Orkney Islands of Scotland, is steeped in Norse mythology and Viking heritage. The 'Valknut'—meaning 'knot of those slain in battle'—is named after the ancient symbol associated with the god Odin, representing transition and bravery. This expression is crafted using a portion of local Tartan barley grown on Orkney and is smoked using the distillery's precious, hand-cut peat from Hobbister Moor. This unique peat, rich in decomposed heather, imparts a distinctively sweet, floral, and aromatic smokiness rather than the medicinal brine of Islay malts. Matured predominantly in American oak sherry-seasoned casks, Valknut delivers a bold flavor profile marked by toasted vanilla, warm cloves, cracked black pepper, and lingering sweet peat smoke.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1798 by Magnus Eunson in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, Highland Park is one of the northernmost Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. Today owned by the Edrington Group, the distillery maintains an uncompromising commitment to heritage, utilizing traditional hand-turned floor maltings and aromatic, heather-rich peat sourced from nearby Hobbister Moor. Highland Park is globally renowned for aging its single malts in bespoke sherry-seasoned oak casks, yielding a signature flavor profile characterized by a harmonious balance of gentle peat smoke and rich, honeyed sweetness. This meticulous craftsmanship is showcased in highly acclaimed expressions ranging from their flagship 12 and 18-year-olds to rare, collectible releases aged up to 50 years.