This is the final release in the Viking Legends trilogy from Highland Park, and is matured entirely in refill casks to make the most of the influence from the spirit, which is the most heavily-peated Highland Park on record. Given that the Orkney peat is much more heathery and less phenolic than Islay peats, there’s a much smoother peatiness than one might expect. The nose is very aromatic with notes of toffee, fig cookies, shortbread cookies, honey, and vanilla. The taste starts out sweet and thick at first, with a slow buildup of heathery peat smoke and black pepper spice balanced by honey, touches of oak tannins, and a hint of vanilla along with dried fruits. The finish is long and rich with lingering spices, dried fruits, and a hint of toffee in the background. Excellent! (November, 2019)