Orkney Single Malt 21YO (((Bottled 2024)))
⏳ Drinking Window
Bottled at its peak maturity after 21 years of aging, this single malt is ready to be enjoyed immediately. Once opened, it is best consumed within 1 to 3 years to experience its full aromatic complexity, while unopened bottles can be preserved indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-roasted venison or rich game meats, artisanal dark chocolate with sea salt, and mature blue cheeses such as Stilton.
✨ Technical Specifications
Perched on the windswept Orkney Islands, Highland Park is one of Scotland's most remote and historic distilleries, founded in 1798 by the legendary smuggler Magnus Eunson. The Orkney Single Malt 21 Year Old (Bottled 2024) is a masterclass in slow, maritime maturation. Its unique character is deeply rooted in the island's terroir, specifically the woodless, heather-rich peat of Hobbister Moor, which imparts a sweet, aromatic, and gentle smoky profile rather than the medicinal peat of the Islay region. Matured in a harmonious combination of sherry-seasoned European oak, sherry-seasoned American oak, and refill casks, this expression delivers a complex tapestry of warm spices, dried dark fruits, heather honey, and a whisper of salty sea spray.
🍾 About the Producer
Perched on the windswept Orkney archipelago off Scotland's northern coast, Highland Park was founded in 1798 by illicit distiller Magnus Eunson before securing official licensing in 1826. Owned by Edrington and directed by Master Whisky Maker Marc Watson, the distillery remains one of the few in Scotland to maintain traditional floor maltings for a portion of its barley. Terroir here is inextricably linked to the island's environment: Orkney's tree-deficient landscape yields heather-rich peat harvested from nearby Hobbister Moor, imparting an aromatic, floral smoke fundamentally distinct from the medicinal iodine of Islay. Distillation occurs in copper pot stills, followed by patient maturation predominantly in sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks within maritime dunnage warehouses. Celebrated benchmark expressions include the flagship 12, 18, and 21 Year Old releases, as well as ultra-aged rarities such as the Orcadian Vintage Series and landmark 40- and 50-year-old single malts.