Highland Park Unveils New Heather Single Malt, Celebrating Orkney's Peat Flavor

Highland Park distillery, located in Orkney, recently launched a limited edition single malt Scotch whisky named Cask Strength Heather. This new spirit, boasting an impressive 63.6% ABV, is the latest addition to the brand's Cask Strength series and is crafted using 100% peat-smoked barley sourced from Orkney.

This whisky aims to accentuate the distinct aromatic qualities derived from the peat found near the distillery on Hobbister Moor. It is understood that for millennia, peat in this region has absorbed the fragrances of heather, imparting a unique floral aroma to the smoky flavor used in Highland Park's production process. The brand states this product "most remarkably showcases the iconic flavor of Orkney's aromatic heather peat to date."

Highland Park Heather is a "proud celebration" of this unique ingredient, embodying a "truly Orkney character that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world." The newly released single malt matured in first-fill European and American ex-sherry oak casks, complemented by a selection of refill casks for balance. Master whisky maker Gordon Watson noted that his team focused on finely balancing the peated barley and the sherry cask influence, adding that the whisky's "rich sweetness from first-fill European and American ex-sherry oak casks is perfected by a selection of refill casks to create smoothness and balance."

Bottled at cask strength and without chill-filtration, this whisky presents a natural deep amber hue, a color attributed to its maturation in oak casks. Cask strength bottlings have grown in popularity in recent years among whisky enthusiasts seeking a more direct and intense distillery character, as they are bottled undiluted straight from the cask. Highland Park is renowned for its signature balance of gentle, heather-scented smoky flavors and sherry cask sweetness.

The brand's official tasting notes describe the aroma as "bonfire smoke, vanilla pods, and brandy cream." The palate is characterized as "rich and oily, with marshmallow sweetness, macadamia nuts, peppery spice, and floral smoke." The finish is noted as "vanilla sweetness and fragrant smoke." The packaging design features a gradient from deep pink to purple, intended to reflect the colors of heather on Hobbister Moor.

2025-11-21

Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/highland-park-celebrates-orkney-peat-with-new-heather-whisky/