Highland Park 18 yo (2020 Edition), Viking Pride, 43%

Introduction

Highland Park 18 Year Old is the highly acclaimed expression from Scotland’s northernmost distillery, renowned for its harmonious balance and exceptional character that reflects both its Orcadian roots and Norse heritage.

Production Method

• Raw materials: 100% Scottish malted barley, partially kilned with aromatic peat from Hobbister Moor, Orkney’s own unique peat bog rich in heather and no tree roots
• Distillation process: Traditional Scottish pot still distillation in copper stills, with Highland Park’s unique floor malting contributing to its distinctive character
• Maturation: 18 years in a combination of European and American oak casks, with a high proportion of first-fill sherry seasoned European oak casks for rich flavor development
• Special techniques: Highland Park is one of the few distilleries that still maintains its own floor maltings and uses hand-turned peat from Hobbister Moor, giving the whisky its distinctive heather honey smokiness

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich floral notes, honeyed sweetness, citrus fruits, marzipan, and a sophisticated aromatic smokiness
• Palate: Luxurious full flavor with honey and peat at its core, surrounded by rich dried fruits, warm winter spices, dark chocolate, and traces of cinnamon and nutmeg
• Finish: Long, smooth, and sweetly smoky with lingering notes of vanilla, toasted wood, and gentle heathery peat

Recommended Serving

• Serving temperature: Room temperature (16-18°C)
• Glass recommendation: Tulip-shaped whisky snifter or Glencairn glass
• Serving ideas: Neat or with a few drops of soft spring water to release more complex aromas
• Food pairings: Dark chocolate, dried fruits, blue cheese, game dishes, or smoked salmon

Product Specifications

• Alcohol content: 43% ABV
• Bottle size: 700ml
• Country/Region of origin: Scotland, Orkney Islands
• Certifications/Awards: 96 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and “Best Spirit in the World” by F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

Highland Park 18 Year Old represents the perfect harmony of complex flavors that can only be achieved through traditional methods and patient maturation in Orkney’s unique climate.

As one of the most respected aged expressions in the whisky world, supplies of this exceptional dram are carefully managed to ensure its continued quality and character.

Master Distiller Gordon Motion personally oversees the selection of casks for this expression, maintaining the exacting standards that have made Highland Park 18 a benchmark for premium single malts.

Recognition from Connoisseurs

Whisky connoisseurs worldwide have consistently rated Highland Park 18 Year Old among the finest single malts available, with numerous gold medals and top ratings cementing its prestigious reputation.

Once you experience the remarkable depth and character of Highland Park 18, you’ll understand why enthusiasts return to this expression as a standard against which other premium whiskies are measured.

Its accolades include being named “Best Spirit in the World” by industry experts and countless medals from prestigious competitions, confirming what Highland Park devotees have long known.

From Orkney to You

Highland Park offers you not just a whisky but a piece of their island heritage, crafted with the same care and attention to detail that has defined their distillery since 1798.

The unmistakable character of this 18-year-old expression, with its gentle smokiness and rich honeyed sweetness, creates an immediate connection with Orkney’s wild landscape and Viking history.

By choosing Highland Park 18 Year Old, you join a community of discerning whisky enthusiasts who appreciate the uncompromising quality and heritage that makes this Orcadian single malt a truly special dram worth savoring.