Skip to main content

Highland Park Launches New Whisky Inspired by Viking Heritage

valkyrie whisky on boardwalk
In the race to create new expressions and labels in the whisky world, count Vikings as the latest twist.

Highland Park, a 200+ year old distillery located way up in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, is launching Valkyrie – a non-age statement whisky blending the company’s Norwegian heritage with new packaging created by Danish designer Jim Lyngvild.

Related Videos

He brought his eccentric style to the packaging, which is embossed using metallic detailing, featuring Viking folklore that pays homage to goddess Freya’s magical necklace.

“I am fiercely proud of my Viking ancestry and the connection to the islands of Orkney,” Lyngvild said through a press release.

Valkyrie is aged in a variety of European and American Oak sherry casks as well as Bourbon casks. The liquid picks up plenty of fruit and spicy notes as a result.

“This creates a richer, fuller phenolic note that has balance due to the sweeter, heathery character of our moorland peat,” Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion said about the addition of extra peat.

The new whisky is part of a bigger brand overhaul for Highland Park, which will further the Viking theme across their core 10-, 12-, and 18-year expressions. It pays tribute to the Orkney’s lineage where one in three islanders have Scandinavian heritage.

Valkyrie is the first in a series of three “Viking Legend” special edition releases. “Valknut” and “Valhalla” will follow in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Valkyrie will retail for around $80 and will be available in select cities across the U.S.

Editors' Recommendations

These 2 whiskies go with everything you’re going to serve at Thanksgiving dinner
Add these two whiskeys to your Thanksgiving menu for a happier holiday
Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Glass

Thanksgiving is a day for being with those we love, feasting on delicious food until we can feast no more, and reflecting on the things we are most thankful for. And if whiskey doesn't top your list, we probably shouldn't be friends. While wine and other specialty cocktails (pumpkin martini, anyone?) may be the Thanksgiving drinks that shine at your family's table, there's always a place for whiskey. Surprisingly, this beautiful brown liquor pairs perfectly with many traditional Thanksgiving foods with its complex, well-rounded flavors. So in your holiday preparations, be sure to pick up a few bottles of these perfect whiskeys for Thanksgiving dinner.

It's difficult to narrow our selections down to two, but we understand that a full whiskey bar at Thanksgiving may not be the new tradition you want to start this year... though, it sounds like a perfectly reasonable (and spectacular) custom to us.

Read more
Flavored tequila is the hottest new trend (and you can make your own)
Move over peanut butter whiskey, flavored tequila is here. We've broken down the trend and how to make some at home
A sangrita tequila shot.

Tequila continues to ride a sizable wave, but not without evolving en route. Over the last few years we've seen everything from new finishing techniques and wine-themed tequilas to entirely new categories. Now, we've entered the flavored tequila era.

It should not be surprising. Other spirits — namely vodka (but to some degree rum, whiskey, and others) — have already tried the flavored route and mostly succeeded. It's why we enjoy a good spiced rum in the winter or a bright-flavored gin in the spring. Really, it was only a matter of time. And with tequila sales forecast to crest more than $24 billion by 2031 in this country, producers are striking while the iron is hot.

Read more
Let bourbon warm you up in all new ways with these delicious fall drinks
These are the best bourbon cocktails to make this fall
best bourbon cocktails for fall spicy pumpkin smash 1

Let's be real — bourbon is pretty damned wonderful any time of the year. But come fall, there's just something especially delicious about this spicy-sweet nectar. Warming to the fingertips, bourbon's characteristic flavor is not only luscious on its own, but also complemented beautifully by other warm and cozy fall flavors, mixed into festive drinks. These are a few of our absolute favorite bourbon cocktails for fall.

Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

Read more