Orkney Single Malt Refill Hogshead 'Full Cask' No 1018
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this single malt does not mature further in the bottle and is ready to drink immediately upon release. It can be kept sealed indefinitely, though once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 3 years to preserve its complex aromatic profile.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked Scottish salmon, mature blue cheeses such as Stilton, and rich dark chocolate desserts.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the windswept Orkney Islands, Highland Park is legendary for its deep historical roots, dating back to 1798 when Magnus Eunson, a smuggler and church officer, ran an illicit still on the site. The unique terroir of Orkney, characterized by fierce North Sea winds that prevent trees from growing, yields a heather-rich peat. When burned to dry the malt, this peat infuses the spirit with a distinctively sweet, floral, and gentle smokiness. This specific bottling, drawn from a refill hogshead (Cask No 1018), showcases the distillery's pure spirit character. The refill wood imparts subtle oak, vanilla, and spice notes without overpowering the elegant, honeyed distillate, allowing the maritime influence and delicate heather-smoke of Orkney 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.