Highland Park Fire Edition is the latest release from Highland Park and is rounding up the Gods series. The Fire Edition is in reference to Ragnarok, the end of the world for the ancient Norse. After the death of the Gods the sun will turn black as flames cover the world and reach so high they touch the heavens. This raging fire will burn everything and end Ragnarok.
In Highland Park’s Words: Highland Park Fire Edition
“Highland Park FIRE Edition is a special release 15 year old single malt which has been matured in 100% refill Port wine seasoned casks – a first for Highland Park. This follows on from the release of ICE Edition and completes the two-part series of special edition bottlings which celebrate some of the myths and legends emerging from the Viking age.”
Once the fires have ceased a new earth will emerge from the sea and Líf and Lífthrasir, the lone human survivors, will repopulate the earth. This new beginning, maybe that’s really what they were going for with this release; a new style of whisky using barrels unique to their typical lineup. We all know that port finishing in whisky can be quite delicious, but 100% port aging… let’s dig in below in the Highland Park Fire Review.
Highland Park Fire Info
Region: Islands, Scotland
Distiller: Highland Park
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Port Casks
Age: 17 Years
ABV: 53.9%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $300*
Highland Park Fire Review
EYE
Copper
NOSE
Buttercream frosting, candied plums and waxy blackberry licorice rest atop light layers of peat, grape juice, graham and a sweet jammy character. The aroma is noticeably lacking any smoke or peat.
PALATE
Rubbery peat followed by grape soda, vanilla frosting, cinnamon and copper with light touches of nuts and popped barley.
FINISH
Medium fade of peat, popped barley and grape soda.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a warm oily delivery.
OVERALL
Highland Park Fire is an ok whisky. It’s nowhere near my favorite Highland Park and while I do love port finishes / aging, especially in peated whisky, this particular combination just doesn’t do it for me. The aroma, while not unpleasant, struggles to find footing and with water becomes nothing more than a lightly peated jam that borders on being one noted.
The flavor of the Highland Park Fire follows suite in not being very complex or interesting yet not being terrible either. With water it hits that same lightly peated jam character and borders on being one noted; that same character extends to the finish. While it’s definitely unique for a HP release I’m not crazy about it and don’t really see how it fits the fire moniker outside of the great looking bottle and case.
SCORE: 81/100 (B-)
*Disclosure: This Highland Park Fire was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.