Orkney-based distillery Highland Park has added a new permanent single malt Scotch whisky to its portfolio with the release of 15-year-old Viking Heart.

Viking Heart joins the brand’s permanent offerings. Gordon Motion, Highland Park’s master whisky maker, handpicked the casks for the 15-year-old expression.

The liquid contains a “high percentage” of first-fill European oak Sherry-seasoned casks, said to give dry, spicy notes.

First-fill American oak Sherry-seasoned casks are said to complement this with flavors of vanilla and crème brûlée. Meanwhile, a small proportion of refill casks give “gentle” heather peat and “lightly fruity” character.

Highland Park

“Our insistence on specially constructed Sherry casks delivers a richness of flavor,” said Motion.

“Vanilla and citrus notes lead and combine with the unique fragrant peat and creamy mouthfeel synonymous with Highland Park. The hand selection of quality first-fill and refill casks for Highland Park 15 Year Old delivers a rich color, which is 100% natural. By bottling at 44% ABV, a little higher than our core 10, 12, and 18-Year-Old expressions, I can retain more of the compounds that deliver a whisky with extra body and enhanced mouthfeel.”

The whisky has been filled into heavily embossed 700 ml ceramic bottles, made in partnership with UK-based Wade Ceramics. The design was inspired by ancient earthenware vessels, which would have been used to store whisky a century or two ago at the distillery.

The lead-free porcelain decanter is 100% food-safe, glazed inside and out, and embossed with the lion and serpent design that appears on many Highland Park bottles.

Look closely at the back of the bottle and you’ll find the heart motif that inspired this whisky’s name.

Highland Park Viking Heart will be available for RRP £80 (approx $110 USD) from specialist whisky retailers, and the brand’s online shop and distillery.