Exploring Highland Park - Unveiling the Viking Soul and Legendary Craftsmanship of Scotland's Northernmost Whisky

The Orkney Islands - A Unique Distillery Forged by Terroir

To understand Highland Park, one must first understand its home—the Orkney Islands. This archipelago at the northeastern tip of Scotland, comprised of over seventy islands, is constantly swept by the fierce winds of the Atlantic, creating a landscape that is both magnificent and desolate. The terroir here is distinctly different from that of mainland Scotland, and it is this unique environment that gives Highland Park its inimitable character.

Orkney's history is inextricably linked with Viking culture. Beginning in the late 8th century, Norse Vikings began to colonize the area, ruling for over six hundred years until sovereignty was returned to Scotland in 1468. However, Viking bloodlines and culture were already deeply imprinted on the land. To this day, many of Orkney's place names, dialects, and even the DNA of its inhabitants retain a strong Nordic heritage. The 'Viking Soul' brand image that Highland Park has heavily promoted in recent years is not merely a marketing strategy but a genuine tribute to the deep historical roots of its location. Many of the distillery's expressions, such as 'Valkyrie' and 'Valfather', are named directly from Norse mythology, elevating the whisky tasting experience into a journey through a Viking epic across time and space.

The geographical environment's impact on the whisky is direct and profound. The Orkney Islands have an extreme climate with virtually no trees and are battered by relentless winds year-round. While the sea winds and island climate affect the warehousing environment and flavor perception, salt ions do not penetrate the oak casks into the spirit; the so-called 'sea salt' note is more of a sensory interpretation and a result of the combined maturation conditions. Furthermore, the climate here is remarkably stable, with a very small annual temperature range—cool summers and mild winters. This 'temperate' environment provides an exceptional condition for whisky maturation. The spirit can breathe slowly and gently in the oak casks, interacting with the wood without excessive intensity, thus developing a more delicate, elegant, and multi-layered flavor profile. It also effectively controls the evaporation of the 'Angel's Share', making every drop a concentrated essence of time.

Finally, we must mention Orkney's peat. Unlike the peat from Islay, which is composed of decayed moss and bog plants and releases a strong medicinal, iodine-like aroma when burned, Orkney peat has a unique composition. Due to the lack of trees on the islands, the peat here is primarily formed from thousands of years of accumulated and carbonized heather and other low-lying shrubs. When Highland Park uses this peat from Hobbister Moor to dry its malt, the resulting smoke is not an aggressive medicinal note but a gentle, fragrant, and unique smokiness with a heather-honey sweetness. This 'Aromatic Smoke' is the core DNA of Highland Park's flavor profile and the key to its ability to stand out among peated whiskies and establish its own style. This unique balance allows it to satisfy the curiosity of peat lovers without intimidating newcomers, which is perhaps one reason for its widespread popularity in Asian markets like Hong Kong.

In summary, the Viking history, maritime climate, cool maturation environment, and unique heather peat of the Orkney Islands collectively form a complex and intricate flavor map. Highland Park is not just a whisky produced in Orkney; it is the liquid expression of Orkney's terroir, the crystallized soul of this ancient land.

The Legend of Magnus Eunson - An Immortal Smuggler's Legacy

Behind every legendary distillery lies a captivating origin story, and Highland Park is no exception. Its history traces back to a legendary figure named Magnus Eunson. This name is still talked about with relish in the Orkney Islands today; he was both a saint and a sinner, a church officer and, at the time, the most notorious illicit distiller and smuggler.

Let's go back to late 18th-century Scotland. At that time, the British government imposed heavy taxes on whisky production and sales to increase revenue, which gave rise to a massive underground industry—illicit distilling and smuggling. In the Orkney Islands, far from the central government's oversight, this activity was particularly rampant. Magnus Eunson, a respected church officer by day, transformed into a skilled illicit distiller by night. It is said that his secret distillery was hidden beneath his cottage in an area known as High Park, which is the origin of the name 'Highland Park'—referring to a geographical 'high park' rather than the Scottish Highlands region.

Among the most famous legends about Magnus Eunson is the long-told story of how he outsmarted a tax officer. As the tale goes, he once received word that tax officials were about to raid his cottage. In the heat of the moment, instead of hastily moving the whisky casks hidden in his cellar, Eunson brought them into a room, covered them with a white shroud, lit candles around them, and spread a rumor that someone in the house had died of smallpox. When the tax officer arrived, he sorrowfully informed him that a coffin of a smallpox victim was in the room and should not be disturbed. Fleeing at the mention of smallpox, the officer left, and the whisky was saved. Although this story is widely circulated, showcasing Eunson's wit and the tense relationship between the people and the government at the time, it is a local legend lacking historical evidence to confirm its authenticity. Magnus Eunson, with his courage and ingenuity, successfully protected his precious spirit. This story not only demonstrates his cleverness but also reflects the tense relationship surrounding whisky between the Scottish people and the government of that era.

Magnus Eunson's smuggling career was officially recorded in 1798, a year often regarded as the spiritual origin of the distillery. However, his illicit activities eventually came to an end. According to historical records, the distillery was formally established by farmer David Robertson in 1798, although Eunson had been illegally distilling on the same site. It wasn't until 1826, when Robert Borwick obtained a legal distilling license, that Highland Park became fully legitimate, moving from the shadows into the light as a proper business. Although the founder changed, the spirit of Magnus Eunson—his pursuit of excellent quality and his fearless attitude—is considered the soul that has been passed down through the distillery.

From an illicit workshop hidden in the cellar of a church officer's home to a renowned and officially licensed distillery, Highland Park's early history is full of drama. This past, born from chaos and rebellion, adds a touch of rugged adventure and untamed character to the brand. It reminds us that every drop of smooth, rich spirit we enjoy today may have originated from an adventure filled with risk and wisdom. The legend of Magnus Eunson is not just the history of Highland Park but a vivid microcosm of the wild era of Scotch whisky.

The Five Keystones of Production - The Highland Park Way

In an era where the whisky industry is increasingly modernized and focused on efficiency, many distilleries have opted for standardized production processes. Highland Park, however, goes against the grain, still adhering to five traditional crafts they regard as their 'Five Keystones of Production'. It is this almost stubborn persistence that has built Highland Park's unique and stable flavor profile, securing its unshakable position among Scotch whiskies. These five keystones are interlinked and work in concert to shape the soul of every bottle of Highland Park.

1. Aromatic Peat from Hobbister Moor

Peat is the first keystone of Highland Park's style and the starting point of its flavor. As mentioned earlier, the peat of the Orkney Islands is distinctive. The distillery owns its exclusive peat fields at Hobbister Moor, just seven miles away. Every spring, the distillery team cuts the peat by hand and then leaves it to dry naturally outdoors for several months. This peat bog is estimated to be around 4,000 years old (with some layers potentially up to 9,000 years), and its composition is primarily heather roots, mosses, and various plants, with almost no wood content. When this peat smolders in the distillery's ancient kilns, the smoke produced is rich in phenolic compounds, but their chemical structure differs significantly from the phenols in Islay peat. What it imparts to the malt is not an intense medicinal or tar-like flavor, but a complex, gentle, aromatic smokiness where one can detect notes of dried flowers, incense, and a hint of honey-like sweetness. This unique heathery smoke runs through all of Highland Park's product lines, becoming its most recognizable family trait and the source of its so-called 'sweet smoke' style. The distillery precisely controls the level of peat kilning for different expressions to create products with varied styles.

2. Hand-Turned Floor Maltings

Floor malting is one of the oldest, most traditional, and most labor-intensive processes in whisky making. Today, over 99% of Scottish distilleries have abandoned this method, choosing instead to purchase standardized malt from professional maltsters. Highland Park, however, is one of the very few distilleries that still insists on conducting its own floor malting. They spread the soaked barley on stone floors to a depth of about 30 cm and then, relying entirely on manpower, experienced craftsmen use wooden shovels called 'shiels' to turn it every eight hours. The purpose of this process is to control the temperature and humidity during germination, ensuring even growth and thus activating the optimal enzyme activity. Although Highland Park's floor malting can only meet about 20-30% of its production needs (the rest is sourced as unpeated malt), the distillery firmly believes that this 20-30% of traditionally hand-malted and heather-peated barley is key to its whisky's core flavor. This commitment, regardless of cost, is not only a respect for tradition but also a way to maintain complete control over every minute detail from grain to spirit, ensuring the continuity of its unique flavor.

3. Sherry Seasoned Oak Casks

If peat and malting are the foundation of flavor, then oak cask maturation is the magical process that gives whisky its color, aroma, and most of its complex flavors. Highland Park's investment in and demand for oak casks are exemplary in the industry. They are staunch advocates of sherry casks and believe that high-quality sherry casks are indispensable for creating exceptional whisky. The distillery spares no expense, working directly with cooperages and sherry bodegas in Jerez, Spain, to control every step from the source. They specify the procurement of oak from Northern Spain and America, which is then made into casks in Spain. These casks are then filled with Oloroso sherry for seasoning at designated bodegas, typically for about 12–18 months. Only after absorbing the rich essence of sherry do these 'custom-made' oak casks get shipped to Orkney for maturing Highland Park's new make spirit. This ultimate pursuit of sherry casks brings a warm, natural amber color to the whisky, along with rich layers of dried fruit, spices, dark chocolate, and citrus. It is the combination of the spiciness from European oak sherry casks and the vanilla sweetness from American oak sherry casks, perfectly integrated with the spirit's own heathery smoke, that composes Highland Park's signature, complex, and harmonious flavor symphony.

4. Cool Maturation in an Island Climate

The maturation of whisky in oak casks is a slow chemical reaction process, and the ambient temperature and humidity have a decisive influence on it. Highland Park's location in the Orkney Islands, with its unique maritime climate, becomes the fourth keystone. The climate of the Orkney Islands is the most stable in Scotland, with an average winter temperature of about 4°C and a summer average of about 12°C, resulting in a very small annual temperature range. This constant, cool environment means that the whisky's maturation process is very slow and gentle. The interaction (breathing) between the spirit and the oak cask does not become too rapid or stagnant due to drastic temperature changes, allowing it to methodically extract flavor compounds from the wood and develop an extremely elegant and delicate texture. Compared to regions with dramatic temperature fluctuations (like Kentucky in the US), maturation in Orkney is slower, but this also prevents excessive woody tannins, making the spirit rounder and smoother. This environment allows the spirit to mature gently in the oak casks, developing delicate layers, while also slightly reducing the rate of the Angel's Share evaporation compared to regions with greater temperature variations.

5. Cask Harmonisation

After a long period of maturation, the whisky's journey is not yet over. Highland Park adheres to a final crucial process—Cask Harmonisation, which is their fifth keystone. When the Master Whisky Maker selects spirits from hundreds or even thousands of casks of different ages and types (such as first-fill sherry casks, refill sherry casks, etc.) according to the recipe, they are not immediately blended and bottled. Instead, these carefully selected spirits are placed in a large vatting tun to rest together for a period, typically at least one month, with some batches resting longer (up to several months) before bottling, and potentially even longer for high-aged expressions. This process is like a symphony orchestra conducting a final rehearsal before a performance, allowing the 'sounds' (flavors) from different 'instruments' (casks) to familiarize and meld with each other, ultimately achieving a state of perfect harmony. Whisky that has undergone this process will have a smoother, more complete palate, with all flavor elements seamlessly integrated and no single note feeling out of place. Although this step adds time and cost, it is the ultimate guarantee that every bottle of Highland Park possesses a stable, balanced, and highly integrated flavor profile.

The Core Range - The Heart and Soul of Highland Park

The Core Range is the cornerstone of Highland Park and the most stable and classic representation of the distillery's style. This series covers a range of ages from entry-level to top-tier collectibles, with each expression clearly showcasing the signature flavor characteristics imparted by the distillery's five keystones, differing only in complexity and depth. For those who want to systematically understand Highland Park, the Core Range is the best starting point and reference.

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Viking Honour

This is the most well-known and best-selling flagship product in the Highland Park family. Highland Park 12 Year Old can be considered the perfect introduction to the distillery's style, precisely capturing the exquisite balance between smoke and sweetness. In its creation, a higher proportion of European and American sherry casks are used, giving the spirit a warm golden hue. Its flavor profile is highly representative- on opening, you can sense the gentle aroma of heather honey, accompanied by notes of citrus and candied dried fruits from the sherry casks, while a wisp of its signature aromatic smoke lingers in the background, like distant embers of a campfire, warm but not overpowering. It has a medium body and a round mouthfeel, with all flavor elements perfectly integrated. For many whisky lovers, Highland Park 12 is the dram that introduced them to the concept of a 'balanced peat' and is a staple in many home bars. In Hong Kong's whisky bars and retail stores, it is also a perennial favorite, earning widespread acclaim for its extremely high quality, consistency, and accessibility.

Highland Park 18 Year Old - Viking Pride

If the 12 Year Old is an exciting overture, then the 18 Year Old is a magnificent symphony. Highland Park 18 Year Old is a legendary expression that has won countless awards worldwide and has been hailed by many critics as one of the 'best spirits in the world'. It represents a peak of Highland Park's distilling artistry. After 18 long years of maturation, the spirit becomes deeper and more complex. Compared to the 12 Year Old, the 18 Year Old uses a higher proportion of top-quality first-fill sherry casks, making the sherry influence more pronounced. Its color is a deeper amber, and the aroma is more intense. Drinkers can detect more concentrated notes of black cherry, dark chocolate, toffee, and baking spices. The signature heather smoke becomes more refined and restrained here, like a silk thread weaving skillfully through the complex flavors, providing excellent structural support. Its texture is as smooth as silk, with a long and evolving finish. Highland Park 18 Year Old is synonymous with balance, complexity, and elegance, a favorite among connoisseurs and a benchmark against which other high-end whiskies are measured.

Older Expressions - Highland Park 25, 30, 40 Year Old

When the dimension of time is stretched to a quarter or even half a century, whisky transcends into a work of art. Highland Park's older expressions (25, 30, and 40 Year Old) are the ultimate showcase of the distillery's finest stocks. These expressions are produced in extremely small quantities, and each bottle is a gift of time. They are all invariably matured in the distillery's oldest and highest-quality sherry casks. As the aging time increases, the influence of the oak becomes more profound, while the spirit's inherent smokiness gradually softens and transforms into more complex background layers. In Highland Park 25, for example, one can expect to experience rich flavors of Black Forest cake, crystallized ginger, and a hint of tobacco and leather. By the 30 or even 40-year mark, the flavors become even more delicate and ethereal, possibly revealing a symphony of tropical fruits, ancient wood, and exquisite spices. These old whiskies are not just beverages but liquid sculptures that carry decades of history and craftsmanship. Their packaging is also incredibly luxurious, often featuring handmade wooden boxes and beautifully designed bottles, making them coveted treasures for top collectors worldwide.

Cask Strength Series

In response to the desire of seasoned enthusiasts to explore whisky in its original form, Highland Park has recently launched the Cask Strength series. The main feature of this series is that it is not diluted with water, but bottled directly at the original cask strength (usually above 60% ABV). Each release in the Cask Strength series has a different recipe and alcohol content, showcasing the Master Whisky Maker's creative freedom in blending. Drinking a cask strength whisky is like putting your ear directly to the heart of the distillery to hear its truest, most powerful beat. Its flavors are extremely concentrated and intense, with the characteristics from the five keystones—aromatic smoke, sherry sweetness, malty richness—all magnified several times over. It gives the drinker great freedom to decide whether and how much water to add to gradually 'release' and explore the hidden layers of flavor in the spirit. This series offers Highland Park fans a more powerful and profound option, showcasing the robust and unadorned side of the distillery's style.

Further Reading - Whisky Brands You Need to Know! A Comprehensive Introduction to Scottish and Japanese Whisky Brands

Beyond the Core - Special Editions and the Viking Legend Series

In addition to its consistently produced Core Range, Highland Park is also famous for its endless stream of special and limited editions rich with storytelling. These series are not only a stage for the Master Whisky Maker to showcase creative distilling but also an important vehicle for deepening the 'Viking Soul' brand story. They often feature elaborate packaging, specific flavor profiles, and compelling backstories, making them a focal point for whisky enthusiasts and collectors worldwide and causing a stir in major markets, including Hong Kong, with each release.

Viking Legend Series

The Viking Legend series was a global limited release; the earlier Warrior Series (like Svein, Einar, Harald, etc.) was exclusive to travel retail. The Viking Legend series consists of three non-age statement (NAS) whiskies, each linked to a specific element of Norse mythology and differentiated in flavor to explore different facets of Highland Park's classic style.

• Valkyrie - As the first in the series, Valkyrie draws inspiration from the female figures who chose the souls of heroic warriors on the battlefield to lead them to Valhalla. To embody the power and bravery of the Valkyries, this whisky was made with a higher proportion of peated malt, making its smoky flavor more prominent and expressive than the core 12 Year Old. At the same time, it maintains good balance, with the fruitiness and spice from the sherry casks intertwining with the stronger smoke, presenting a vibrant and dynamic style.
  
  
• Valknut - The second release, Valknut, means 'knot of the slain' and is a mysterious symbol in Norse mythology closely associated with the chief god Odin, symbolizing honor and sacrifice. This whisky aims for a deeper level of complexity. It uses a higher proportion of Spanish sherry casks and includes some locally grown Orcadian Tartan barley, said to contribute a richer mouthfeel. Valknut's flavor is richer than Valkyrie's, with more pronounced notes of spice, cloves, and toasted oak, while the smokiness serves as a solid backdrop.
  
  
• Valfather - As the final chapter of the series, Valfather's name refers to the chief god of Norse mythology—Odin, the god of wisdom, war, and death. To match Odin's supreme status and formidable power, Valfather is the most heavily peated core release Highland Park has ever produced. It is matured entirely in refill casks to maximize the raw, powerful smoky flavor from the distillery's own peated malt, without being overshadowed by excessive cask influence. Its style is intense, direct, and full of smoke, earthiness, and a hint of salinity—a final tribute prepared for true peat lovers.

The Valhalla Collection

Before the Viking Legend series, Highland Park launched an even more classic and legendary limited series—The Valhalla Collection. Released between 2012 and 2015, this collection comprised four whiskies, each named after one of the most famous deities in Norse mythology, cleverly matching the whisky's personality with the character traits of the god. This series caused a sensation upon its release, and its unique wooden ship-frame packaging and precise flavor crafting have made it an iconic work in the collector's market.

• Thor - Named after the god of thunder, this 16-year-old whisky is known for its high strength (52.1% ABV) and powerful flavor profile, much like Thor's hammer, full of spice, smoke, and a ginger kick.
  
  
• Loki - The god of mischief, Loki, is known for his unpredictable nature, and the corresponding 15-year-old whisky is famous for its complex and ever-changing flavors. Its smokiness comes and goes, with sweetness and spiciness alternating, creating a dramatic experience.
• Freya - The goddess of love and beauty is embodied in a 15-year-old whisky whose style is bright, elegant, and vibrant, with notes of white chocolate, tropical fruits, and soft floral hints, showcasing a feminine and delicate side.
  
  
• Odin - The namesake whisky of the chief god Odin is a 16-year-old expression, concluding the series with a high ABV of 55.8% and a deep, complex, and wise flavor profile. It combines rich sherry cask flavors, strong oak tannins, and a profound smokiness, creating a majestic presence.

Other Special Editions

In addition to the series mentioned above, Highland Park has released many other eye-catching special editions, such as 'The Light' and 'The Dark' pair, representing the summer and winter solstices in Orkney and exploring the two poles of flavor under different maturation strategies. There are also releases like 'Dragon Legend' and 'Spirit of the Bear', each with a fascinating story behind it. Furthermore, the distillery periodically releases single cask bottlings, which are usually exclusive releases for specific markets (like Hong Kong, Taiwan, or the UK) or retailers. These showcase the unique personality that a single cask can impart and are the ultimate goal for whisky geeks on a treasure hunt.

Further Reading - The Ultimate Guide to Whisky Recommendations - Perfect Choices from Beginners to Collectors

The Evolution and Contemporary Status of Highland Park

Since Magnus Eunson's illicit distilling began in 1798, Highland Park has gone through over two hundred years of history. Its development has not been a smooth journey but has involved several changes in ownership, each profoundly influencing its style and market position. Today, as a jewel in the crown of The Edrington Group (which also owns renowned brands like The Macallan and The Glenrothes), Highland Park has found the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, establishing its top-tier status in the global whisky market.

Further Reading - The Macallan Whisky - Why is it hailed as the 'King of Whiskies'? From beginner's guides to rare limited editions, explore the Six Pillars and Core Series of the king of single malts.

The acquisition by The Edrington Group in 1999 was a major turning point in Highland Park's modern history. With the group's strong resource support and global distribution network, Highland Park's brand awareness and market reach were greatly enhanced. The Edrington Group not only respected and encouraged the distillery to preserve its traditional production methods, such as hand-turned floor malting and its commitment to sherry casks, but also invested heavily in brand building and marketing.

One of the most significant changes occurred in 2017. Highland Park underwent a comprehensive rebranding, clearly defining its core value as 'A Viking Soul'. This rebranding was not just a change of packaging but a thorough reinforcement of its identity from the inside out. The new bottle design is highly distinctive, with embossed patterns inspired by the ancient Urnes Stave Church in Norway on the shoulder and base, depicting a lion fighting a dragon, symbolizing the duality of good and evil, harmony and chaos in the Viking spirit. The subtitles of the expressions were also changed to Viking-themed names, such as 'Viking Honour' for the 12 Year Old and 'Viking Pride' for the 18 Year Old. This series of initiatives successfully tied Highland Park closely to its unique Orkney Viking heritage, creating a highly attractive and memorable brand story that makes it stand out among the many Scotch whiskies on the shelf.

In terms of quality, Highland Park has always maintained an extremely high standard and consistency, which has earned it countless international awards. It has a notable track record, especially at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, often dubbed the 'Oscars of the spirits world'. This continuous professional recognition has solidified its elite status within the industry.

Today, Highland Park's image is multidimensional. For traditionalists, it is a model of adherence to ancient brewing methods. For story lovers, it is a Viking epic full of Norse mythology. For flavor explorers, it offers a wide range of options from gentle and balanced to powerful and peaty. For collectors, its endless stream of limited editions provides immense collection value and enjoyment. This diverse appeal allows it to reach a very broad consumer base, from seasoned drinkers in European and American markets to the younger generation pursuing a quality lifestyle in emerging Asian markets like Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, Highland Park is almost a must-have on the menus of high-end bars, and its older and limited editions are hot topics of discussion and highly sought after within the local whisky community.

In conclusion, Highland Park's contemporary status is built upon an unwavering commitment to traditional craftsmanship, a deep exploration and modern expression of its own history and culture, and excellent quality control and a global vision backed by a powerful group. It is not just a whisky but a cultural symbol, a glass of liquid gold filled with the terroir of Orkney, Viking legends, and two centuries of masterful heritage.

Highland Park Distillery Summary Information