Orkney Single Malt Whitlaw Refill Hogshead 'Full Cask' No 122
⏳ Drinking Window
As a premium single malt Scotch whisky, this spirit does not mature further in the bottle and has an indefinite shelf life if stored properly. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within one to two years to experience its complex aromas at their peak.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Smoked salmon or peat-cured seafood, mature blue cheeses such as Stilton, and rich dark chocolate desserts.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the windswept Orkney Islands, 'Whitlaw' is a revered pseudonym used by independent bottlers for single malt distilled at the legendary Highland Park distillery. Steeped in Viking lore and maritime history, this expression is matured in a refill hogshead, a cask size that gently coaxes out the distillery's signature character without overwhelming it with oak. The spirit benefits from Orkney's unique Hobbister Moor peat, which is rich in heather and devoid of wood, imparting a distinctively sweet, floral, and aromatic smokiness. On the palate, expect a harmonious marriage of heather honey, light coastal brine, soft orchard fruits, and a whisper of peat smoke, reflecting the wild, treeless landscape of its northern home.
🍾 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.