Orkney Single Malt Cask Strength Release No 5
⏳ Drinking Window
As a high-proof single malt Scotch whisky, this bottle does not mature further once packaged. It is ready to be enjoyed immediately upon release and will remain in peak condition indefinitely if stored upright in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 2 years to preserve its complex aromatic profile.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich blue cheeses, dark chocolate desserts, and smoked game meats such as venison or duck.
✨ Technical Specifications
Perched on the windswept Orkney Islands, Highland Park is steeped in Norse heritage, tracing its roots back to 1798 and the legendary smuggler Magnus Eunson, a descendant of Vikings. The distillery's unique character is shaped by the harsh island elements and the ancient, woodless peat of Hobbister Moor, which is packed with decomposing heather. This heather-rich peat imparts a distinctively sweet, floral, and aromatic smokiness rather than the medicinal brine of Islay. The Cask Strength Release No 5 showcases this raw power, matured primarily in sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks alongside a selection of refill casks. Bottled at its natural strength without chill-filtration, it delivers an intense, unadulterated expression of Orkney's wild terroir, balancing robust peat smoke with rich dried fruits, warm spices, and wild heather honey.
🍾 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.