Orkney Single Malt Whitlaw Refill Hogshead 'Full Cask' No 120
⏳ wine.drinking_window
As a distilled single malt Scotch whisky, this bottle does not mature further in glass and will remain stable indefinitely if stored upright and away from direct light. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 2 years to experience its full aromatic complexity.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Smoked Scottish salmon, mature artisanal blue cheeses, and rich dark chocolate desserts.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from the windswept Orkney Islands, this single malt represents the rugged, Viking-influenced heritage of Scotland's northernmost distilleries. Released under the 'Whitlaw' pseudonym—a name frequently used by independent bottlers to denote malt distilled at the legendary Highland Park distillery—this expression captures the unique terroir of Orkney. The island's peat, sourced from Hobbister Moor, is composed almost entirely of decomposed heather, imparting a distinctive sweet, floral, and gentle heathery smoke rather than the medicinal, briny notes typical of Islay. Maturation in a refill hogshead allows the spirit's natural character to take center stage, balancing orchard fruits, soft honey, and light peat smoke without the heavy influence of active oak. It is a testament to traditional floor malting and the slow, cool maturation favored by the maritime climate.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1798 by Magnus Eunson in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, Highland Park is one of the northernmost Scotch whisky distilleries in the world. Today owned by the Edrington Group, the distillery maintains an uncompromising commitment to heritage, utilizing traditional hand-turned floor maltings and aromatic, heather-rich peat sourced from nearby Hobbister Moor. Highland Park is globally renowned for aging its single malts in bespoke sherry-seasoned oak casks, yielding a signature flavor profile characterized by a harmonious balance of gentle peat smoke and rich, honeyed sweetness. This meticulous craftsmanship is showcased in highly acclaimed expressions ranging from their flagship 12 and 18-year-olds to rare, collectible releases aged up to 50 years.