Orkney Single Malt Orcadian Vintage Series Bottled 49.1%
⏳ Drinking Window
As a highly stable, ultra-premium aged single malt whisky, this bottle does not mature further in glass and is ready to be enjoyed immediately. It will remain in peak condition indefinitely when stored properly, allowing collectors to savor its complex profile over several decades.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich blue cheeses like Stilton, high-quality artisanal dark chocolate, and slow-roasted game dishes such as venison.
✨ Technical Specifications
Highland Park, established in 1798 on the windswept Orkney Islands, is steeped in Viking heritage and smuggling lore. Founded by Magnus Eunson, a direct descendant of Viking settlers who famously hid his illicit spirits beneath the pulpit of his church, this distillery represents the rugged, mystical northernmost frontier of Scottish whisky-making. The Orcadian Vintage Series, bottled in 2011 at 49.1% ABV, showcases exceptionally rare, long-aged single malts matured in hand-selected sherry-seasoned oak casks. The distinctive character of this malt comes from Orkney's unique Hobbister Moor peat, which is packed with floral heather rather than wood, imparting a gentle, aromatic sweet smoke. Combined with the cool, maritime climate of the islands, the result is a deeply complex spirit rich with dried fruits, warm spices, and a whisper of coastal brine.
🍾 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.