Highland Park distillery

Introduction to Highland Park

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Highland Park is a renowned Scottish distillery located on the remote Orkney Islands, where the wild North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. This northernmost distillery in Scotland has earned global recognition for creating exceptional single malt whiskies that perfectly balance sweetness, smokiness, and complexity. Standing proudly since 1798, Highland Park embodies the unique character of its island home in every drop.

The distillery’s isolated location contributes significantly to its distinctive character, with the challenging climate and rich Viking heritage playing crucial roles in shaping both its production methods and its final products.

Why we have a soft spot for Highland Park

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate distilleries that stay true to their roots while crafting exceptional spirits, and Highland Park exemplifies this philosophy perfectly. Their commitment to traditional floor malting sets them apart in an industry where this labor-intensive practice has largely disappeared.

We’re particularly drawn to Highland Park’s balanced approach—creating whiskies that offer the perfect harmony between sweet heather honey notes and gentle aromatic peat smoke, making them approachable for newcomers yet complex enough for seasoned whisky connoisseurs.

The History behind Highland Park

Origin and development

Highland Park was officially established in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, a church officer by day and renowned illicit distiller and smuggler by night. The distillery’s name comes not from the Highland region (as it’s actually located in the islands), but from the High Park area where it was built, overlooking Kirkwall in Orkney.

Through the centuries, Highland Park has maintained its traditional methods while gradually expanding its global presence. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw the distillery gain increasing international acclaim, with its core expressions winning numerous awards and developing a devoted following among whisky enthusiasts worldwide.

The people behind

Today, Highland Park is led by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion, who carefully maintains the distillery’s signature style while developing new expressions that honor its rich heritage. The production team includes some of the few remaining traditional floor maltmen in Scotland, whose expertise ensures the preservation of this ancient craft.

The distillery’s team maintains deep connections to Orkney’s Viking history, which is reflected not only in their whisky but in the Norse-inspired packaging and storytelling that accompanies their special releases.

Craftsmanship and Production

From raw materials to finished product

Highland Park’s production process begins with locally grown barley, supplemented by mainland Scottish barley. What truly distinguishes them is that they’re one of only a handful of distilleries that continue to malt a portion of their barley on traditional malting floors, turning it by hand using traditional wooden tools.

Their peat is another defining element—cut from Hobbister Moor, just a few miles from the distillery. This 4,000-year-old peat is rich in heather, resulting in a sweeter, more aromatic smoke than the medicinal peat used elsewhere in Scotland. The distillation takes place in copper pot stills with unique upward-tilting lyne arms that contribute to the whisky’s distinctive character.

Maturation and aging

The magic of Highland Park’s maturation happens in predominantly sherry-seasoned oak casks, with European oak delivering rich, dried fruit notes and American oak contributing vanilla and citrus characteristics. The harsh Orkney climate, with its cool, temperate conditions and salty sea air, creates a unique environment for aging whisky.

Highland Park practices harmonization—a period where newly emptied casks are refilled with whisky and allowed to rest together before bottling—ensuring consistency across their expressions while maintaining complexity and depth of flavor.

Selected Products from Highland Park

Highland Park 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This flagship expression perfectly encapsulates Highland Park’s essence. Notes of heather honey, dried orange peel, and gentle aromatic smoke create a beautifully balanced dram. Its smooth, medium-bodied mouthfeel and long, sweet finish make it an excellent introduction to the distillery’s signature style.

Often referred to as the “all-rounder” of single malts, the 12 Year Old serves as both a gateway for newcomers and a reliable standard for experienced whisky enthusiasts.

Highland Park 18 Year Old – An experience for connoisseurs

Regularly acclaimed as one of the world’s best single malts, the 18 Year Old offers a more complex expression with richer sherry influence. Expect luxurious notes of toffee, dark chocolate, dried fruits, and a perfectly integrated smokiness. The textural richness and extraordinary length of finish elevate this expression to true connoisseur status.

The additional years of maturation result in a seamless integration of flavors and remarkable depth—a whisky for special occasions and contemplative enjoyment.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Highland Park offers various visitor experiences at their Kirkwall distillery, ranging from introductory tours to in-depth masterclasses. Guests can explore the traditional malting floors, peat kilns, stillhouse, and warehouses while learning about the Viking heritage that shapes the brand’s identity.

The tasting experiences typically include several expressions that showcase the distillery’s range, from core offerings to limited editions. For devoted enthusiasts, speciality cask tastings and bottle-your-own opportunities provide unique memories to take home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Highland Park?

Highland Park is Scotland’s northernmost distillery, located on the Orkney Islands. It produces single malt Scotch whisky characterized by a distinctive balance of honey sweetness, aromatic peat smoke, and complex spice. Their approach combines traditional floor malting and local peat with sherry cask maturation to create whiskies with a unique Orcadian character.

Where is Highland Park located?

Highland Park Distillery is located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland. This remote location, with its harsh climate and Viking heritage, significantly influences the character of their whisky and the storytelling around their brand.

What characterizes Highland Park whisky?

Highland Park is particularly known for its balanced profile that marries sweetness and smoke. Key characteristics include aromatic peat (rather than medicinal), rich heather honey sweetness, and complex spice notes derived from sherry cask maturation. The distillery maintains traditional production methods, including hand-turned floor malting and the use of locally cut peat from Hobbister Moor.

Where can I buy whisky from Highland Park?

You can find selected bottles from Highland Park at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate our selection to include both core expressions and special releases, ensuring you have access to the finest representations of this iconic Orkney distillery’s craftsmanship.