Highland Park whisky, originating from the Orkney Islands, blends rich history, craftsmanship, and a deep Viking heritage. Founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, a smuggler with Viking roots, the distillery is located in Kirkwall, Orkney’s capital.
Crafting Highland Park:
Highland Park’s distillery remains one of the oldest in Scotland, still using traditional methods like in-house floor malting and peat sourced from Orkney’s Hobbister Moor. The whisky is aged in sherry-seasoned oak casks, contributing to its rich, balanced character.
Orkney’s maritime climate also affects the maturation process, lending the whisky a subtle briny note, which enhances its complexity and layers of flavor.
The Taste: A Complex Balance of Sweet and Smoke:
Highland Park whisky is known for its balanced complexity, combining a harmony of sweet, smoky, and floral notes. The distillery offers a range of expressions, each with its own character, but the house style remains consistent—an interplay of heather honey, gentle smoke, and rich fruit.
- Highland Park 12-Year-Old: This is often the first introduction whisky lovers have to the brand. The 12-year-old expression is rich in sherried sweetness, with notes of honey, dried fruit, and subtle spices. The peat smoke is light but adds a satisfying depth, with a hint of heather in the background.
- Highland Park 18-Year-Old: The 18-year-old offers a more mature, refined flavor profile. A higher concentration of sherry-cask aging leads to a richer palate of dried fruits, dark chocolate, and caramel, complemented by a more pronounced but still elegant smokiness.
- Highland Park 21-Year-Old and Above: With older expressions like the 21, 25, and 30-year-old, Highland Park delves into richer, more decadent flavors—think dried fruit cake, roasted nuts, and spiced oak. The smoke remains restrained, allowing the layers of flavor to unfold gently with each sip.
Distinct Characteristics:
Highland Park’s balance of soft smoke, heather honey, and maritime freshness sets it apart. The gentle peat, sherry influence, and coastal notes combine to create a whisky that reflects both the wildness of the Orkneys and the refinement of centuries-old craftsmanship.
Highland Park whisky is a true reflection of its origins: a blend of ancient tradition, Norse heritage, and the rugged beauty of the Orkney Islands. Whether you’re enjoying a dram of the 12-year-old or savoring an older, rarer expression, Highland Park offers a whisky experience that is rich, complex, and evocative of Scotland’s northernmost islands. With its balanced notes of sweet honey, gentle smoke, and maritime freshness, Highland Park continues to stand as one of the finest examples of Scottish whisky craftsmanship.
You can find Highland Park Whisky in our 13C store — 129 Arar street, Wadi Saqra, Amman, Jordan — or simply click the following link to shop online: Highland Park
