Orkney Single Malt Harald Warriors Series
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled single malt Scotch whisky, this bottle does not mature further in glass and is ready to be enjoyed immediately upon release. Once opened, it will retain its peak character and complex flavors for 1 to 2 years if stored properly away from direct sunlight.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon or cured meats, mature blue cheeses like Stilton, and rich dark chocolate desserts.
✨ Technical Specifications
Highland Park's 'Harald' is a standout release from the distillery's celebrated Warrior Series, crafted to honor King Harald Fairhair, the legendary Norse ruler who established the Orkney earldom. Located in Kirkwall on the windswept Orkney Islands, Highland Park is one of the northernmost distilleries in the world, deeply rooted in Viking heritage. This single malt is matured in a combination of hand-selected European and American oak sherry-seasoned casks. The unique Orkney terroir shines through via the distillery's use of local, hand-cut Hobbister Moor peat, which is rich in heather and imparts a distinctively sweet, aromatic, and gentle smoky character rather than the medicinal peat of the Islay region. On the palate, it delivers a complex tapestry of warm ginger, sweet vanilla, grated nutmeg, and subtle dried peel, wrapped in a whisper of coastal peat smoke.
🍾 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.