Orkney Single Malt XOP 25YO
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this single malt does not mature further in the bottle and will remain stable indefinitely if stored upright and away from direct light. Once opened, it is best enjoyed within 1 to 3 years to experience its complex aromatic profile at its peak.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Rich blue cheeses such as Stilton, high-quality dark chocolate with sea salt, and roasted game dishes like venison or smoked duck.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the wind-swept Orkney Islands of Scotland, Highland Park is legendary for its Viking heritage and rugged maritime terroir. This extraordinary 25-year-old single malt, bottled under Douglas Laing's prestigious 'Xtra Old Particular' (XOP) range, represents the pinnacle of single-cask Scotch whisky craftsmanship. Founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson—a direct descendant of Viking settlers who famously used his position as a church officer to hide smuggled spirits beneath the pulpit—Highland Park relies on Orkney's unique, woodless peat. Composed almost entirely of decomposed heather, this peat infuses the malt with a gentle, floral smokiness. Over a quarter-century of maturation in a single cask, the harsh northern elements breathe through the wood, marrying the coastal brine and heather honey sweetness with deep oak spices, dried fruits, and a whisper of cocoa.
🍾 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.