Highland Park Whisky

Highland Park, located in Kirkwall on Orkney, is Scotland's northernmost whisky distillery and among its most distinctive. The distillery is recognised for a style that blends honeyed richness, dried fruit, warming spice and a measured thread of smoke, with heather-rich Orkney peat and sherry-seasoned oak both playing a crucial role in shaping the spirit. The outcome is whisky with genuine character, but also remarkable balance: smoky enough to be unmistakable, yet never overwhelmed by peat.

The core range stays anchored by the 12 and 18 Year Old expressions, both of which represent the house style exceptionally well, but Highland Park also maintains a strong presence at the premium end of the market. Its prestige bottlings stretch well beyond the standard range, with releases such as the 21 Year Old and older expressions including the 40, 50 and even 56 Year Old demonstrating how elegantly the distillery's spirit can mature over extended periods. Alongside these, the house continues to produce small-scale special editions and vintage releases, often sourced from a limited number of carefully selected casks.

There is also a compelling human story behind the whisky. Gordon Motion, who joined Highland Park in 1998 and became Master Whisky Maker in 2008, has been the defining creative figure behind many of the distillery's contemporary releases. Highland Park announced his retirement in July 2025, with Marc Watson stepping in as his successor, providing the brand with a strong sense of continuity as it moves into its next chapter.