Highland Park Freya

Not a ton to say about this. They had a sample when I was placing an order for other samples and a bottle. I’ve enjoyed Highland Park well enough, and have been surprisingly tickled by the lighter expressions, and I like Freya so I went for it.

Highland Park Freya, Island (Orkney) Single Malt, 51.2% ABV

Minutia: Matured for 15 years in first fill Bourbon casks, released in 2014 with 19,000 bottles produced. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Amber, 0.7.

Nose: Very light. Vanilla, grapefruit (faint). A hoppy quality I’ve come to associate with lighter Highland Parks.

Taste: Honey, spicy, vanilla.

Finish: Dry, oaky, medium long.

So it’s not my favorite as I generally like a more smoky expression, but I am glad to have tried it. While it is and was far too expensive for what it offers, this is a light and bright and refreshing dram. Quite well suited to a warmer climate.

Score: 80

Musical Evocation: Glittertind – “Longships and Mead”