Highland Park Voyage Of The Raven review

Voyage of the Raven single malt comes from Highland Park distillery. This dramatically named NAS (non-age statement) whisky was released for the travel retail market.

I guess this one’s a marriage of old sherry and bourbon casks like Highland Park whiskies usually are, but it’s been aged in high proportion of first-fill Ex-Sherry casks.

As the viking theme continues, raven’s were trusted guides for voyagers:

The ravens sit on his shoulders and say into his ear all the tidings which they see or hear; they are called thus: Huginn and Muninn. He sends them at daybreak to fly about all the world…therefore men call him Raven-God.

Gylfaggining, The Prose Edda, Snorri Sturluson (English translation)

Art & Copy combined with whisky

I must admit, as much as I love Highland Park whiskies, Voyage of the Raven is pushing the viking theme a bit too far. Although the bottle and packaging are stylish and the whisky tastes okay, stories about ravens bringing good fortune and finding new land makes me laugh.

From the outside, Highland Park Voyage of the Raven is a typical whisky of the age we’re living in. With its shiny shell and marketing backstory. I would love to hate this whisky.

But I don’t. Because it has Highland Park quality inside. It’s not great but good in an “easy to drink” kind of way.

Matured in:

Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry casks

Colour: Red amber

ABV: 41.3%

Nose: Plums and hints of mint. Sweet peat and sherry. Water adds lots of vanilla and some toffee, changes the aromas completely.

Taste: Sherried fruits. Very sweet with red fruits and hints of grassy notes. Water adds creamy toffee notes and oak.

Finish: Quite fast but full. Smooth with sherry and fruits. Water adds hints of oak and vanilla. And smoky herbal notes.

Balance: Smooth and simple, very mellow when compared to other Highland Parks.