Orkney Single Malt Viking Scars 10YO
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled single malt Scotch whisky, this bottle is released fully matured and ready to enjoy immediately. Once opened, it is best consumed within 1 to 2 years to preserve its complex aromatic profile.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon, mature blue cheeses, and rich dark chocolate.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the wind-swept Orkney Islands at one of the northernmost distilleries in the world, Highland Park's 10 Year Old 'Viking Scars' is a tribute to the deep Norse heritage of its homeland. Founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson—a direct descendant of Viking settlers and a legendary smuggler—Highland Park crafts this single malt using traditional methods, including hand-turned floor maltings. The defining character of this expression comes from the unique peat of Hobbister Moor, rich in heather, which imparts a gentle, aromatic floral smokiness rather than the heavy medicinal peat of the Islay region. Matured primarily in sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks, this golden spirit marries notes of citrus fruits, warm vanilla, and light heather honey with a delicate, lingering whisper of peat smoke.
🍾 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.