Highland Park 18 yo, Viking Pride, 43%

Introduction

Highland Park 18 Year Old Viking Pride is the embodiment of Orkney’s ancient whisky-making traditions, consistently acclaimed as one of the world’s most outstanding single malts since its introduction to the Highland Park core range.

Production Method

• Raw materials: Scottish barley and aromatic peat from Hobbister Moor on Orkney, enriched with local heather roots that give Highland Park its distinctive character
• Distillation process: Traditional floor malting, followed by gentle kilning with Orkney peat and distillation in copper pot stills, preserving the whisky’s robust yet refined character
• Maturation: 18 years in a careful balance of first-fill European oak sherry seasoned casks (delivering rich, dark fruit flavors) and American oak sherry seasoned casks (providing delicate vanilla and honey notes)
• Special techniques: Highland Park maintains one of Scotland’s few traditional floor maltings, hand-turning their own malted barley to create the distillery’s signature heather-infused peat smoke

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Rich aromatic peat smoke combines with ripe floral honey and sun-dried orange zest, complemented by subtle notes of crushed black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg
• Palate: Luxurious layers of dark chocolate, Seville orange marmalade, and honeyed malt, perfectly balanced with heather smoke, warm spices, and candied ginger
• Finish: Long and complex with lingering sweet smoke, dried fruits, and subtle oak spice that gracefully fades with gentle warmth

Recommended Serving

• Serving temperature: Room temperature (16-18°C)
• Glass recommendation: Tulip-shaped whisky glass or Glencairn to concentrate and appreciate the rich aromas
• Serving ideas: Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of spring water to release additional complexity
• Food pairings: Dark chocolate desserts, rich fruit cake, mature cheeses, or smoked salmon

Product Specifications

• Alcohol content: 43% ABV
• Bottle size: 700ml/750ml (market dependent)
• Country/Region of origin: Scotland, Orkney Islands
• Certifications/Awards: Multiple gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and International Spirits Challenge, consistently rated among the world’s top whiskies by critics

Summary

A Unique Tasting Experience

Highland Park 18 Year Old Viking Pride represents the pinnacle of Orkney whisky craftsmanship, delivering unparalleled balance between sweet honey, aromatic smoke, and rich fruit notes.

With limited annual production due to the distillery’s commitment to traditional methods and extensive 18-year maturation period, each bottle represents a rare example of time-honored Scottish whisky excellence.

Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion personally oversees each cask selection, ensuring that only those meeting Highland Park’s exceptional standards contribute to this globally celebrated expression.

Recognition from Connoisseurs

Whisky connoisseurs and critics worldwide consistently place Highland Park 18 Year Old among the most respected single malts, with legendary whisky writer Michael Jackson once describing it as “the greatest all-rounder in the world of malt whisky.”

Those who appreciate fine whisky find themselves returning to Highland Park 18 Year Old for its remarkable consistency and complexity that reveals new dimensions with each tasting experience.

Its numerous gold medals and 96+ point ratings from authorities like the Ultimate Spirits Challenge confirm what enthusiasts have long known—that this is a whisky of exceptional distinction.

From Orkney to You

The Highland Park distillers have maintained their ancestral techniques across generations, sharing with you a true taste of Orkney’s rugged islands and Viking heritage in every meticulously crafted bottle.

Many enthusiasts develop a personal connection with Highland Park 18 Year Old, appreciating not just its outstanding flavor profile, but also the authentic story of tradition, craftsmanship and respect for natural ingredients.

By experiencing Highland Park 18 Year Old, you join a community of discerning whisky lovers who appreciate how this exceptional spirit connects us to Scotland’s island heritage—discover how it elevates your most meaningful moments.