Highland Park 18 Years Earl Haakon Limited Edition Three Sherry Oak Orkney Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky 54.9% Vol. - 3rd Release 2011 from the exclusive Inga Saga Trilogy of an exquisite Highland Park Orkney Islands Single Malt!
The special vintage 1993 18-year-old Highland Park Earl Haakon Orkney Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the third and final release in a series of three special editions from Highland Park s limited-edition Inga Saga Trilogy collection, it was matured for 18 years in hand-selected first-fill and refill sherry casks and was bottled in the year 2011 non-chill-filtered at 54.9% ABV in a limited edition of 3,300 bottles.
The third release from the Inga Saga Trilogy is dedicated to Earl Haakon, one of three noble earls and cousins named Magnus, Erlend and Haakon. Magnus and Haakon ruled the Orkney Islands together from 1105 to 1114 during a time of peace and harmony; as long as their friendship lasted, prosperity reigned in Orkney. Over time, malicious tongues sowed discord between the earls; hints of Magnus s popularity and his noble authority aroused Haakon s jealousy, leading the earls to raise armies and attack one another.
As they prepared for battle, friends and nobles intervened to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. The two cousins agreed to sail to Egilsay with no more than two ships each to conduct peace negotiations there. At the agreed time, the treacherous Haakon sailed in with eight fully armed warships. The outnumbered Magnus knew his fate: Haakon sentenced him to death in April 1116 and ordered his standard-bearer, Ofeig, to behead him. He refused, so Haakon ordered his cook, Lifolf, to execute Magnus; Lifolf wept, but was reassured by his victim before delivering the fatal blow.
Appropriately, rather than seeking revenge, Magnus s mother forgave the murderer. Haakon killed Magnus and then attended a banquet to which he had been invited by Thora, the mother of his slain cousin.
She served Haakon herself, and he drank copiously; all she asked was to be allowed to bury her son. According to the Magnus Saga, Haakon began to feel the weight of his terrible crime: he looked at her and wept. Bury your son, he said, wherever you wish. Haakon s feelings of guilt were so great that he later undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and bathed in the river Jordan.
Haakon had won the struggle for supremacy over the Orkney Islands, yet today it is Magnus who is remembered. The magnificent cathedral in Kirkwall was built by master craftsmen in his honour. Magnus s relics, including his skull with a clearly visible axe wound, were found in the cathedral and returned to the pillar where they had originally been kept.
The influence of Saint Magnus extended far and wide; the first name became popular in the Orkney Islands, particularly in the case of Magnus Eunson, a man forever linked to the founding of the Highland Park distillery in 1798.
In collaboration with Stölzle Flaconnage, Highland Park s specialist glassware supplier, a special bottle was created for the fine vintage 1993 18 years Highland Park Earl Haakon, featuring all the imperfections and flaws that correspond to those of the original. The image of Earl Haakon on the bottle label was inspired by old stained-glass windows. The effect of the label is shown to its best advantage by the design of this simple, open-fronted, etched oak wooden box.
An exquisite and fine vintage 1993 18 year Highland Park Orkney Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky, presented in an exclusive etched oak box with an open front, featuring the story of Earl Haakon. With the Earl Haakon limited edition 3, Highland Park continues its tradition of reflecting the character and qualities of legendary Norse gods and significant historical figures in a fine aged Scotch whisky, paying homage to the skilled and dedicated craftsmen who built St Magnus Cathedral.
- Typ: Single Malt Whisky - Distillery Bottling
- District: Orkney Islands
- Vintage: 1993 and earlier
- Age: 18 years old
- Year bottled: 2011
- Cask Wood Type: Refill and 1st Fill Sherry Casks
- Alcohol ABV 54,9%
- Bottling Series: Earl Haakon of Orkney Bottling - the limited Inga Saga Trilogy / Edition Three - 3rd Release 2011
- Bottle Size 70cl / 700ml
- not chill filtered
- Packaging original wooden boxed (outer packaging with traces of storage, bumped)
- Producer/Importer: Highland Park Distillery, James Grant and Company, Holm Road, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, KW15 1SU, Scotland
- Country of Origin Scotland
- limited, one of 3.300 bottles - unique old bottling and rare collector s whisky!
When ordering, you agree to these arrangements and assure the age of 18 years have already passed. All buyers have to be of legal age in their respective country.
Alcohol is harmful to health. Enjoy in moderation.
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