Situated on the island of
Orkney to the west of Kirkwall,
HIghland Park is the most northerly distillery in the World. It was founded by
Magnus Eunson in the late 18th century, one of many Orcadian smugglers and illicit Whisky producers who rebelled against the heavy excise duties imposed to finance the war with Napoleon. It is said that he used his position as church officer to conceal Whisky beneath the church pulpit.
The
distillery was licensed in
1826 by
Robert Borwick, whose son-in-law, the local Exciseman John Robertson, is generally credited with routing out the smugglers. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to use hard water. Also unusual is the use of traditional floor maltings for germinating the barley, which is then dried over a fire of local aromatic heather peat. This is the source of the heathery smokiness that is
characteristic of Highland Park Whiskies.
Whisky from
Highland Park is released as single malts as well as sent over to Famous Grouse for blending. Core range of Highland Park is composed of
12, 18, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50 year old Whiskies and a Dark Origins bottling.
Whiskies are generally peat dominated with fruit and spice notes coming from the Sherry casks with coastal notes.