Orkney Single Malt Whitlaw Refill Hogshead 'Full Cask' No 120
⏳ 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.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked Scottish salmon, mature artisanal blue cheeses, and rich dark chocolate desserts.
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 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.