Highland Park

United Kingdom
Founded in: 1798

All about Highland Park

Nestled on the Orkney Islands, just west of Kirkwall, Highland Park proudly holds the title of the world's most northerly distillery. Since 1798, they've been harnessing the wild Orkney elements to craft award-winning whisky that's as raw and untamed as the land itself. 

Highland Park is one of the few distilleries that still turn their malt by hand. This hands-on approach ensures that when drying over a fire fueled by locally sourced heather peat, the malted barley soaks up plenty of floral smoke. The result is a lighter, more aromatic “heather-like” flavor, giving Highland Park whisky its signature aromatic smokiness.

From the classic 12 Year Old to the most highly-awarded 18 Year Old and the oldest and rarest 54 Year Old, every drop of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a medley of flavors shaped by the rugged Orkney climate. Whether you're enjoying it on a sweltering afternoon or savoring it at sunset, Highland Park will infuse your summer days with vibrant citrus, honey, and floral notes, all wrapped in a gentle heather peat smoke. 

Perfect for pairing with summer BBQs and mixing into your favorite whisky cocktails, Highland Park Single Malt Scotch will undoubtedly become your new seasonal favorite!

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All about Highland Park distillery

Highland Park is the most northern distillery in Scotland, located on Orkney Island.

Orkney was the home to illicit distillation in the late 1700s, so it is almost impossible to give an exact date for its founding. However, it is believed that Highland Park Distillery was built in 1798.

Robert Borwick got the first legal license for the distillery in 1826. James Grant purchased the distillery in 1895 and increased the production.

In 1937, the Highland Distillers Co. bought the distillery, and in 1979 they decided to release single malts instead of giving the malt away for blending. This was a turning point in the history of the distillery. In 1999, Edrington Group took over the distillery and it continued to improve.

Cattie Maggie's Spring in Orkney is the main water source for the Whisky. The wash stills in the distillery have a capacity of 20,000 liters, while the spirit stills have a capacity of 18,000 liters.

Highland Park is still partially using the floor malting procedure for their peated barley, which is peated by the peat collected from the Hobbister Moor.

The distillery has 26 warehouses, in a climate that is never too cold or too hot, creating a perfect medium for maturing the Whisky. Highland Park seasons the casks with dry Oloroso Sherry oak, making the Whisky more fruity and spicy.

Distillery info

  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Region: Islands
  • Established: 1798
  • Address: Highland Park Distillery Holm Road Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1SU United Kingdom
  • Phone: 01856 874619
  • Website: https://highlandpark.co.uk/