Orkney Single Malt Hogshead 'Full Cask' No 56
⏳ Drinking Window
As a premium single malt whisky, this bottle is fully matured upon release and does not develop further in glass. It can be enjoyed immediately or cellared indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, dark chocolate, mature blue cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the wind-swept Orkney Islands, this single cask expression showcases the rugged, maritime terroir of Scotland's northernmost distillery. Highland Park's single malt is defined by its use of aromatic peat hand-cut from Hobbister Moor, which infuses the barley with a distinct, heather-honeyed smoke. Maturation in a single hogshead cask—a traditional 250-liter vessel—allows for a gentle, slow interaction between the oak and the spirit. This specific cask bottling, Number 56, represents an unblended, cask-strength snapshot of the distillery's signature profile, where coastal brine, sweet malt, and delicate peat smoke converge in perfect harmony, paying homage to the island's rich Viking heritage.
🍾 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.