Orkney Single Malt Cask Strength Release No 1
⏳ Drinking Window
As a high-proof distilled spirit, this single malt does not mature further in the bottle and is ready to enjoy immediately upon release. It will remain at peak quality indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich blue cheeses like Stilton, dark chocolate desserts, and smoked meats such as venison or duck breast.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the wind-swept Orkney Islands of Scotland, Highland Park is one of the world's northernmost distilleries, steeped in Viking heritage and legendary lore. Founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson—a smuggler who famously hid his illicit spirits beneath his church pulpit—Highland Park is renowned for its traditional methods, including hand-turned floor maltings. The Orkney terroir is defined by fierce maritime winds that prevent trees from growing, leaving the local Hobbister Moor peat rich in heather. When burned to dry the barley, this unique peat infuses the malt with a signature sweet, floral smokiness. The Cask Strength Release No 1 showcases this spirit in its purest form: straight from the cask, non-chill filtered, and with no added color. Matured predominantly in sherry-seasoned American oak casks, it delivers a robust harmony of sweet heather honey, warm peat smoke, and rich baking spices.
🍾 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.