Highland Park Loki 15 Year 750ML

Highland Park Loki 15 Year 750ML is a 15-year-old single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 48.7% ABV (97.4 proof) from Orkney's Highland Park Distillery. Named Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks) in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2015, Loki stands as one of the most acclaimed releases in Highland Park's Norse mythology–inspired Valhalla Collection, distinguished by a dual-cask maturation strategy that amplifies smoke well beyond the distillery's typical house style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48.7%  |  Origin: Orkney Islands, Scotland  |  Age: 15 Years  |  Distillery: Highland Park

Production & Heritage

Highland Park Distillery, founded in 1798 in Kirkwall on Orkney's mainland, is one of the northernmost whisky distilleries in the world. Loki, released as the third installment of the four-part Valhalla Collection, was matured in a combination of Spanish sherry-seasoned oak casks and casks that previously held heavily peated whisky — a significant departure from the distillery's standard maturation program. This dual-cask approach layers Loki's character with an assertive peat influence atop the honeyed, heathery malt Highland Park is known for, resulting in the most smoke-forward expression in the series. The whisky is made entirely from malted barley, with a portion of the malt dried using locally hand-cut Orkney peat.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opening notes of smoked toffee and buttery oak give way to dried apple, marzipan, and honeycomb. Beneath the peat sits a layer of vanilla, cloves, and gingernut biscuit warmth that deepens with time in the glass.

Taste: The palate enters full-bodied and chewy with assertive smoke, salted caramel, and nougat. At mid-palate, candied lemon peel, white chocolate, and green aniseed emerge alongside cinnamon spice and a distinctive creamy maltiness. The interplay between the sherry cask sweetness and the peated cask intensity creates a layered push-pull that rewards slow sipping.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering hickory smoke, black pepper, clove, and ginger trailing into a subtle honeysuckle sweetness. A final note of lemon zest and allspice persists well after the last sip.

How to Drink Loki

Loki is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water — the added water opens up its more delicate marzipan and citrus notes while taming the smoke. At 48.7% ABV, it carries enough intensity to hold its own over a single large ice cube for those who prefer a chilled dram. For cocktails, the robust peat and spice profile makes it a compelling choice in a Penicillin, where its smoke replaces the typical Islay float with Orkney character; a Rob Roy, where the sherry-cask sweetness harmonizes with sweet vermouth; or a Blood and Sand, where the dried fruit and citrus notes complement the cherry liqueur and orange juice.

Best For

• Collectors seeking limited-edition Highland Park releases from the Valhalla Collection
• Gifting to a peat-loving Scotch enthusiast who already knows Islay malts
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or aged cheese
• Comparative tastings exploring Highland Park's range beyond the core lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Loki taste like? Highland Park Loki delivers assertive peat smoke layered with salted caramel, marzipan, cinnamon, and candied lemon peel, finishing with lingering black pepper, clove, and hickory smoke. It is considerably more smoke-forward than most Highland Park expressions due to its unique peated-cask maturation.

How does Loki compare to Highland Park 15 Year Old? The standard Highland Park 15 Year Old leans into the distillery's classic balance of heather honey and gentle peat, while Loki uses casks that previously held heavily peated whisky to push the smoke intensity significantly higher. Both share the house malt character, but Loki is bolder, more assertive, and bottled at a higher 48.7% ABV.

Is Loki good for sipping neat? Loki is an excellent neat sipper, with its 48.7% ABV providing a robust but not overwhelming delivery. A few drops of water can help unlock more subtle layers of citrus and marzipan beneath the smoke.

Where is Loki made? Highland Park Loki is distilled at Highland Park Distillery in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland. The distillery has operated on this site since 1798 and is known for using locally hand-cut Orkney peat.

What foods pair well with Loki? Smoked salmon or smoked mackerel mirror the whisky's peat character. Dark chocolate with sea salt complements the salted caramel and cinnamon notes. Aged Manchego or Gruyère cheese works well against the sherry-cask richness. Roasted lamb with herbs echoes the savory, spiced finish. Dried fruit and nut platters highlight the marzipan and honeycomb sweetness.

What sizes does Loki come in? Highland Park Loki was released as a limited-edition bottling in the standard 750ml size.

Is Loki worth the price? Loki positions as a premium limited-edition single malt, and its discontinued status in the Valhalla Collection means secondary market prices have climbed since release. Its Whisky Bible Single Malt of the Year recognition, five-star rating from F. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal, and unique dual-cask production give it strong credentials relative to other collectible Highland Park bottlings.

Why Loki?

What sets Loki apart within Highland Park's portfolio — and among aged single malts broadly — is its unconventional use of casks that previously matured heavily peated whisky alongside traditional Spanish sherry casks. This production choice creates a smoke intensity rare for Highland Park, earning it Jim Murray's Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Casks) in his 2015 Whisky Bible and a five-star rating from F. Paul Pacult, who ranked it among the top spirits in the world. As a discontinued limited release from the Valhalla Collection, Loki occupies a space that newer Highland Park expressions have not replicated. For drinkers drawn to the intersection of Orkney's heathered malt and unapologetic peat, this remains one of the distillery's most singular achievements.