Highland Park The Valhalla Collection, Thor 16 Year Old

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Red berries notes of mineral, flinty, quite smoky (rather coal than peat) and then more and more herbal, earthy and spicy. Lots of lush, rounded and honey, then butterscotch and caramel. With water: The earthiness stands out, slightly gamy, ham, Havana cigar (very obvious) …

Mouth (neat): Punchy and some honey, toffee, caramel, soft gingerbread and a very faint saltiness. Develops more on pepper, ginger, nutmeg and liquorice, with always a discreet smokiness in the background. Creamy mouth feel.

With water: Water makes wonders, Excellent.

Finish: Long, with the liquorice still loud and clear. A little cumin and bitter oranges in the aftertaste.