Detective fiction, Norse mythology and single malts are not obvious bedfellows but at a recent tasting of four Highland Park expressions in Edinburgh, they all came together during a most agreeable hour at the Caledonian Hotel.
The tasting commemorated 30 years of Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus, Edinburgh’s world-weary hero of countless whodunnits – and who was not averse to the odd dram. Highland Park owners Edrington have brought out a 10-year-old Rebus 30th anniversary malt in a special all-black bottle. It proved an excellent dram, even when pitched against strong competition from three others.
Also in the tasting line-up was Highland Park 12-year-old, now called Viking Honour, in a new moulded bottle depicting many themes from Norse mythology. I thought I knew that subject from Asgard to Yggdrasil, but the fascinating, detailed description I was given by an on-the-spot expert put me in the remedial class.
For years Highland Park 12-year-old been considered the yardstick malt against which others tend to be measured. Viking Honour shows every indication of defending that repute.
Next came the recent Highland Park Valkyrie, named after the maidens who brought those slain in battle to Valhalla. I thought the nicely-peated Valkyrie was a knockout for the depth, range and subtlety of its nose, palate and finish. It has won two major awards in its short time on the market – and certainly I’ll be buying a bottle next time I see it.
Finally came the 18-year-old – like the 12-year-old but mellower and smoother after those extra six years slumbering in the cask.
I doff my cap to Highland Park as one of the few big-name malts that so far has not abandoned the 12-year and other age-specific expressions that used to be the cornerstone of malt whiskies. Too many others, pressured to match supply with demand, have jettisoned the 12/15/18/25-year labels for no-age-statement bottlings with poncey names and inflated prices.
There was a fifth malt on show, but the bottle stayed firmly stoppered. It was a unique 30-year-old Highland Park in a special Rebus bottle and box. Only 30 bottles exist and they will be presented to Ian Rankin (pictured) to auction for charity. It doesn’t take a forensic mind to deduce they should all fetch megabucks when they go under the hammer.
