Highland Park 18 Year Old

From the most northerly distillery in the World.
 
Situated on the island of Orkney to the west of Kirkwall, HIghland Park is the most northerly distillery in the World. It was founded by Magnus Eunson in the late 18th century,  one of many Orcadian smugglers and illicit Whisky producers who rebelled against the heavy excise duties imposed to finance the war with Napoleon. It is said that he used his position as church officer to conceal Whisky beneath the church pulpit.

The distillery was licensed in 1826 by Robert Borwick, whose son-in-law, the local Exciseman John Robertson, is generally credited with routing out the smugglers. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to use hard water. Also unusual is the use of traditional floor maltings for germinating the barley, which is then dried over a fire of local aromatic heather peat. This is the source of the heathery smokiness that is characteristic of Highland Park Whiskies. 
 
The Highland Park 18 Year Old is a peated malt with a deep complexity and flavorsome elegance. The peat notes last throughout the dram and rounds off with a wonderfully herby note in the finish. The palate is thick with sweet notes that are set off wonderfully against the dull tang of peat smoke and oaky wood from the barrels it is matured in.