Orkney Single Malt Hogshead 'Full Cask' No 45
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this bottle is stable indefinitely when stored upright away from direct light; once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 3 years to experience its peak aromatic complexity.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, mature blue cheese, dark chocolate truffles
✨ Technical Specifications
Representing the rugged, wind-swept terroir of the Orkney Islands, this single cask expression captures the wild essence of Scotland's northernmost distilling heritage. Steeped in Viking legend and maritime history, Orkney single malts are defined by the unique peat of Hobbister Moor, which is packed with decomposed heather rather than forest wood, imparting a distinctively sweet, floral, and aromatic smoke. Maturation in a single hogshead cask allows the spirit to develop a harmonious balance between coastal brine, heather honey, and soft peat, offering a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the traditional craftsmanship of the island.
🍾 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.