Everything you need to know about Highland Park Distillery

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.

Explore all Islands Whisky

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

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.