Orkney Single Malt 50YO Bottled 43.8%
⏳ Drinking Window
As an ultra-aged single malt Scotch whisky, this spirit is fully matured at the time of bottling and will not evolve further in the bottle. It is ready to be enjoyed immediately and will preserve its extraordinary quality indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Artisanal dark chocolate, mature blue cheeses such as Stilton, or slow-roasted venison.
✨ Technical Specifications
Highland Park, established in 1798 by the legendary smuggler Magnus Eunson, is situated on the windswept Orkney Islands of Scotland. The distillery's unique character is deeply tied to its northern terroir, where the lack of trees results in a heather-rich peat that imparts a distinctively sweet, floral smoke to the malt. This exceptionally rare 50-year-old single malt, bottled in 2020 at 43.8% ABV, is a masterclass in patience and heritage. Originally distilled in 1964 from nine refill casks, the liquid was married in 2008 and finished in first-fill sherry-seasoned oak casks. It delivers an incredibly complex profile of dried fruits, warm spices, dark chocolate, and a delicate whisper of Orcadian peat smoke, representing the pinnacle of traditional Scottish distilling.
🍾 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.