Orkney Single Malt Refill Bourbon Barrel 'Full Cask' No 224
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this single malt is fully matured upon bottling and does not age further in glass. It can be enjoyed immediately upon release and will remain stable indefinitely if stored upright in a cool, dark place.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon or raw oysters, mature cheddar cheese, and dark chocolate desserts.
✨ Technical Specifications
Highland Park, established in 1798 by the legendary smuggler and priest Magnus Eunson, is situated on the windswept Orkney Islands of Scotland. This remote northern archipelago shapes a single malt of distinct character, defined by the distillery's use of aromatic peat hand-cut from Hobbister Moor, rich in decomposed heather. This specific bottling, aged in a refill bourbon barrel (Cask No 224), showcases a lighter, more distillate-driven style. Unlike heavy sherry-seasoned casks, the refill bourbon wood imparts delicate vanilla, coconut, and citrus notes, allowing the coastal brine, soft heather honey, and gentle peat smoke of the Orkney spirit to take center stage.
🍾 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.