🥃 Highland Park
Highland Park is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand on the Orkney Islands; first licence 1798 according to the producer; Orkney heathered peat; sherry-seasoned oak casks; an Edrington brand.
Highland Park is a single malt Scotch from the Orkney Islands, a distillery and a brand in one. According to the producer, it was founded by Magnus "Mansie" Eunson, a local church beadle and part-time whisky smuggler, who obtained his first whisky-making licence in 1798. Edrington lists it among its brands.
How it is made. The producer's signature is Orkney heathered peat, cut on Hobbister Moor, where heather has grown for millennia. It says Highland Park is the only distillery in the world to use this peat, and the result is a subtle hint of smoke. Maturation uses sherry-seasoned oak casks.
Range. The classic range is Highland Park 12, 15 and 18 years old, alongside special editions and travel exclusives.
Why it matters to you. By law Scotch whisky is matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks of up to 700 litres and bottled at not less than 40% ABV. The WHO reminds us that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Year founded | first licence 1798 (per the producer), Magnus Eunson; Orkney |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) |
| Raw material | Orkney heathered peat from Hobbister Moor (per the producer) |
| Cask type | sherry-seasoned oak casks (per the producer) |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak casks of up to 700 litres, in Scotland, by law |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Highland Park → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Edrington, 🥃 Malting
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Sherry
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe, 🥃 Island whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Peated whisky, 🥃 Scapa, 🥃 The Macallan, 🥃 Talisker, 🥃 The Famous Grouse
Frequently asked questions
Was Highland Park founded by a smuggler?
According to the producer, yes: Magnus "Mansie" Eunson, a church beadle and part-time whisky smuggler, obtained his first whisky-making licence in 1798.
Who owns Highland Park?
Edrington lists Highland Park among its brands.
Is Highland Park a peated whisky?
The producer uses Orkney heathered peat from Hobbister Moor, giving a subtle hint of smoke.
What casks does Highland Park use?
The producer emphasises sherry-seasoned oak casks.
What does the law require of Scotch whisky such as Highland Park?
It must be matured in Scotland for at least three years in oak casks of up to 700 litres and bottled at not less than 40% ABV.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🍷 Sherry — Protected wine from the Jerez de la Frontera area of Andalusia, aged in oak casks in the solera system; 14 to 22 % alcohol.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
Similar
🥃 Abhainn Dearg · 🥃 Tobermory · 🥃 Glen Ord · 🥃 Glenglassaugh · 🥃 Torabhaig · 🥃 Ben Nevis
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- Highland Park (official site): Our story (founded by Magnus Eunson, first licence 1798; Orkney heathered peat from Hobbister Moor; sherry-seasoned oak casks; Highland Park 12, 15, 18)
- Edrington: Our brands (Highland Park, crafting whisky since 1798)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)