Highland Park Ragnvald

Highland Park Ragnvald, NAS, 44,6 %

Here is the second in command of the Highland Park The Warrior Series; Highland Park Ragnvald. I have previously reviewed the highest ranking warrior, Thorfinn.

Highland Park Ragnvald is made up of whisky where 60-80 % have been matured in European (Spanish) oak, and the rest in American oak. All sherry casks, of course, and about 60 % was 1st fill sherry.

This is what the distillery says about Ragnvald:

Ragnvald was one of the most pioneering of all Vikings, a noted sailor and master explorer of unchartered waters, his nautical accomplishments and riches of fabrics, exotic spices and precious stones from across Europe were widely celebrated.

Highland park Ragnvald was launched in the Autumn of 2013, and the retail cost at launch was about € 400. It appears very hard to find any bottles of Ragnvald online.

Nose (22/25): Soft sherry notes mixed with mint and eucalyptus. Quite delicate and almost shy on the nose. Given time it reveals notes of banana, vanilla, exotic spices and hints of peat smoke.

Taste (22/25): Soft and sweet on the palate. Caramel, pepper, soft oakiness and a slightly burn edge. Vanilla, chocolate and hints of wood smoke.

Finish (21/25): Medium long finish. The initial richness tapers off a bit, leaving a simpler profile dominated by caramel and soft oaky spiciness.

Balance (22/25): A fine dram by all means. I guess we were a bit spoiled with Thorfinn.

Score (87/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas