Highland Park

The True Dram.
 
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.
 
Highland Park 12 YO was first introduced in 1979. It is a blend of different single malts the youngest of them being at least 12 years old. Since then it remains the core expression of the Highland Park Distillery renowned for its smooth and balanced characteristics that are more than a benchmark to many different Scotch single malts. A timeless dram that is a must have for anyone who considers himself just a bit of a Scotch aficionado.