A powerful offering from Orkney distillery Highland Park.

Valfather is the most heavily peated whisky the distillery have ever produced. Valfather translates as “Father of the Slain” – he who presides over the great hall of Valhalla. The spirit’s intense flavour is said to reflect the power of Odin, Norse God and the King of Asgard.

The spirit has been matured in refill casks, partly to balance the peatiness, and to reflect the ethereal nature of Valhalla.

The whisky itself delivers notes of delicate, ashy peat, accompanied by some dense floral flavours, apricot, burnt brown sugar, salted caramel, cinnamon, slight chilli, apple, a little coffee, orange, almond, burnt wood, honey, cedarwood, peppery spice, cloves, nutmeg, sea spray and a creamy vanilla note.

This dram is presented at 47% ABV, and without chill filtration. The bottle’s design and accompanying box is said to recall the Stora Hammars picture stones of Gotland, Sweden.

Fans of Octomore and other super-peaty drams will want to try this offering from Highland Park.

• Product type
  Single Malt
• Distillery / brand
  Highland Park
• Country
  Scotland
• Region
  Island
• Bottler
  Distillery Bottling
• Non-chillfiltered
  No
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  038613