{"title":"Highland Park | Orkney","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Highland_Park_Collection_Banner.jpg?v=1787683804\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSitting far up off the northern coast of Scotland, the Highland Park distillery has been completely shaped by the wild, windswept environment of Orkney. The island’s fierce maritime climate prevents trees from growing, meaning the local peat is composed entirely of ancient, tightly compacted heather. When burned to dry the malt, this unique fuel imparts a highly distinctive, aromatic smoke that is deeply floral and entirely different from the heavy, medicinal peat found over on the west coast of Islay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlongside that gentle island smoke, the distillery relies heavily on premium sherry-seasoned oak casks to shape its signature flavour profile. These carefully chosen barrels infuse the resting spirit with rich layers of dried winter fruit, toasted nuts, and warming spices. The team also remains one of the very few in Scotland to still turn a portion of their barley by hand on traditional malting floors, a labour-intensive process that ensures absolute consistency and adds an incredible depth of character to the final liquid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe origins of this remote site are rooted in a brilliant piece of local folklore. While officially founded in 1798, its true beginnings lie with Magnus Eunson, a church beadle by day and a notorious smuggler by night. Operating out of a small bothy at the high park above Kirkwall, Eunson famously hid his illicit whisky under the pulpit of the local church to outsmart the excisemen. Today, that very same site produces a globally celebrated single malt that remains fiercely proud of its rebel origins and Orcadian heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"highland-park-18-year-old-orkney-single-malt-scotch-whisky","title":"Highland Park 18 Year Old Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eHighland Park 18 Year Old\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eOrkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky\u003c\/strong\u003e is an absolute masterclass in balance, offering a deeply rewarding step up for fans of this famous island distillery. Spending eighteen years maturing in a high proportion of sherry-seasoned oak casks, this expression delivers an incredibly rich, full-bodied texture that coats the palate beautifully. It completely avoids the aggressive intensity of some island whiskies, opting instead for a wonderfully refined harmony between sweet, dried fruit and gentle, fragrant smoke. On the nose, it opens with an inviting wave of ripe cherry, dark cocoa, and a distinctive, sweet floral smoke. As you take a sip, the texture is remarkably thick and velvety, releasing complex layers of thick heather honey, toasted winter spices, and dark chocolate. The finish is incredibly long and deeply warming, leaving a lasting impression of sweet citrus and a quiet, aromatic wood smoke that lingers softly in the background. It is an extraordinary dram to slowly enjoy at the end of the evening. Serve it neat alongside a selection of mature, hard cheeses or a rich fruit dessert, allowing the natural warmth of the room to slowly unlock its incredibly complex aromas.[#intro]\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA wonderfully rich island malt balancing fragrant floral smoke with sweet honey and dark chocolate...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Highland Park","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58586934608253,"sku":"HVHIGHLANDPARK18YO","price":135.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/HighlandPark18YearOldBT.jpg?v=1787685681"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Highland_Park_Collection_Image.jpg?v=1787683871","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/highland-park.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}