Chat with us on WhatsApp
Everything you need to know about Highland Park Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
-
Highland Park 10 Year Old Whisky Rebus 30 Rankin£119.99 Inc VAT -
Highland Park 12 Year Old Single Cask Whisky 1140 London Gatwick£174.99 Inc VAT -
Highland Park Orkney Isles Map£99.99 Inc VAT -
Highland Park 20 Year Old Single Malt Discovery Selection 5cl£149.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Highland Park, Islands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1798.
Highland Park sits on Orkney, north of mainland Scotland, where the wind rarely rests and the light feels different. You can taste that setting in the whisky. It’s coastal, slightly wild, but never rough.
Founded in 1798 — allegedly by a church officer who distilled illegally on the side — Highland Park is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. It still uses traditional floor maltings for part of its barley, and crucially, it cuts its own peat from Orkney’s heather-rich moorland. That peat is different from Islay’s. It’s less medicinal, more earthy and floral.
For me, Highland Park gets the balance right. You get smoke, but it doesn’t dominate. You get sherry sweetness, but it’s not sticky. Honey, spice, dried fruit, gentle peat — all layered rather than competing.
If someone asks for a smoky whisky that isn’t overwhelming, this is often where I point them.
Taste Profile
 |
 |
 |
|
Peaty / Smoky |
Sweet | Rich / Chocolately |
Highland Park is known for its balanced house style. Expect heather honey sweetness at the front, followed by dried fruit from sherry-seasoned oak casks. The peat smoke is aromatic rather than medicinal — soft, slightly earthy, and gently warming.
There’s often a subtle baking spice note running through the finish. The texture feels rounded and composed. It’s smoky Scotch, but with restraint.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
 |
Honey |
 |
Dried Fruit ( Raisins, Figs, Dates) |
|
Peat Smoke |
 |
Cinnamon / Clove |
Most Popular Bottles
Highland Park 12 Year Old
The benchmark. Honey, dried fruit, soft smoke. A reliable introduction.
Highland Park 15 Year Old
More depth and polish. Extra sherry influence and smoother smoke integration.
Highland Park 18 Year Old
Richer and more layered. Darker fruit, cocoa hints, longer finish.
Highland Park Cask Strength
Higher proof releases showing more intensity — spice, oak, and peat more pronounced.
Join our whisky mad family
Learn more about Whisky as well as enjoying exclusive offers and product news
The Distillery
The Distiller: Highland Park Distillery
Address: Holm Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1SU
 Open in maps |
 www.highlandparkwhisky.com |
 +44 (0)1856 874619 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes, and it’s one of the most scenic distillery visits in Scotland.
Typical opening hours
-
Monday – Saturday
-
Around 10:00 – 17:00
(Seasonal variations apply)
Tours include warehouse tastings and an explanation of their traditional floor malting process.
Ownership History
Current Owner
-
Edrington Group (current owner)
Historic Ownership
-
Founded by Magnus Eunson (1798)
-
Various private ownership through the 19th century
-
Acquired by Highland Distillers
-
Now part of Edrington’s portfolio
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Highland Park Distillery is located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands and was founded in 1798, making it one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. Its founder, Magnus Eunson, was a church officer and reputed smuggler, a dual identity that has become part of the brand’s folklore.
The distillery’s northern island setting, Norse heritage, and traditional production methods have shaped its identity. Unlike many modern operations, Highland Park retains several historic practices, including on-site floor malting.
Production
-
Water Source: Cattie Maggie’s Spring
-
Malting: Partial in-house floor malting (rare in modern Scotch production)
-
Peat: Orkney peat, rich in heather rather than coastal vegetation
-
Stills: Copper pot stills designed for a balanced, medium-bodied spirit
-
Cask Types: Primarily European and American oak sherry-seasoned casks, alongside ex-bourbon
Orkney peat produces a more aromatic, heathery smoke rather than the medicinal iodine style often associated with Islay.
Whisky Style
Highland Park is known for balance rather than dominance of any single element.
Typical profile:
-
Honeyed malt sweetness
-
Heather smoke
-
Dried fruit and raisin
-
Warm spice from European oak
-
Subtle maritime salinity
Peat influence is integrated rather than aggressive, giving structure without overwhelming sweetness.
Key Expressions
-
12 Year Old – Honey, gentle smoke, dried fruit
-
15 Year Old – Richer oak and spice structure
-
18 Year Old – Sherried depth, chocolate, balanced peat
-
Cask Strength releases – More intense oak and smoke interplay
The 18 Year Old in particular is frequently cited as one of the distillery’s benchmark expressions.
Significance
Highland Park occupies a strategic position between mainland Highland and Islay styles, offering peat without heaviness and sherry influence without excess sweetness.
It has been instrumental in defining Orkney whisky identity and remains one of Scotland’s most globally recognised island distilleries.
Highland Park Whisky to Buy
Carefully Packed
& Protected
Every bottle is securely packed to ensure it arrives safely.
Free UK Delivery
Over £99
Secure delivery across the UK. Excludes Highlands & Islands.
Expert Whisky
Advice
Our whisky specialists are on hand to help you choose.
