Orkney Single Malt Valkyrie
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled single malt Scotch whisky, it does not mature further in the bottle. It is ready to enjoy immediately upon release and will remain stable indefinitely if stored upright in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 2 years to experience its full aromatic complexity.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich blue cheeses like Stilton, slow-smoked beef brisket or wild venison, and high-quality dark chocolate with a touch of sea salt.
✨ Technical Specifications
Highland Park's Valkyrie is a celebratory nod to the distillery's deep-rooted Norse heritage on the windswept Orkney Islands. Once a Viking kingdom, Orkney's history is woven into every drop of this single malt. Valkyrie, the first release in the Viking Legend series, features packaging designed by Danish designer Jim Lyngvild, reflecting ancient Norse stone carvings. Unlike Highland Park's classic core range, Valkyrie dials up the peat influence by incorporating a higher percentage of the distillery's signature local peat from Hobbister Moor, which is rich in heather and imparts a sweet, aromatic smoke. This peated spirit is matured in a combination of sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks alongside ex-bourbon casks, resulting in a complex tapestry of warm vanilla, sweet spices like nutmeg and ginger, dried apricots, and a lingering, fragrant heathery campfire smoke.
🍾 About the Producer
Perched on the windswept Orkney archipelago off Scotland's northern coast, Highland Park was founded in 1798 by illicit distiller Magnus Eunson before securing official licensing in 1826. Owned by Edrington and directed by Master Whisky Maker Marc Watson, the distillery remains one of the few in Scotland to maintain traditional floor maltings for a portion of its barley. Terroir here is inextricably linked to the island's environment: Orkney's tree-deficient landscape yields heather-rich peat harvested from nearby Hobbister Moor, imparting an aromatic, floral smoke fundamentally distinct from the medicinal iodine of Islay. Distillation occurs in copper pot stills, followed by patient maturation predominantly in sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks within maritime dunnage warehouses. Celebrated benchmark expressions include the flagship 12, 18, and 21 Year Old releases, as well as ultra-aged rarities such as the Orcadian Vintage Series and landmark 40- and 50-year-old single malts.