Orkney Single Malt Orcadian Vintage Series Bottled 46.9%
⏳ Drinking Window
As a premium, highly aged single malt Scotch whisky, this spirit is fully matured upon bottling and will not evolve further in glass. Unopened, it can be preserved indefinitely when stored upright in a cool, dark place. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 3 years to experience its complex aromatic profile at its peak.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich blue cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort, high-quality dark chocolate with sea salt, and roasted game dishes like venison or seared duck breast.
✨ Technical Specifications
Highland Park, located on the windswept Orkney Islands of Scotland, is steeped in Viking history and legendary distilling lore. Founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson—a direct descendant of Viking pioneers who was a church officer by day and a legendary smuggler by night—the distillery sits on high ground overlooking Kirkwall. The Orcadian Vintage Series represents the pinnacle of Highland Park's artisanal craft, drawing from exceptionally rare, long-aged casks. This expression, bottled in 2011 at 46.9% ABV, showcases the distillery's signature style: hand-turned floor maltings and the use of ancient, heather-rich peat cut from nearby Hobbister Moor. Unlike the medicinal peat of Islay, Orkney peat imparts a gentle, aromatic, and floral smokiness. Slowly matured in hand-selected sherry oak casks, this single malt delivers a complex tapestry of dried dark fruits, warm spices, wild heather honey, and a whisper of coastal brine, reflecting the rugged, maritime terroir of the far north.
🍾 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.