The Highland Park Distillery
Highland Park 12
From 48 EUR from 2 retailers
Highland Park 12 Year Old is the signature expression from one of Scotland's most northerly distilleries, offering a distinctive balance of gentle smoke, heather honey, and rich sherry character that defines the Orkney style.
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Highland
Number of retailers: 2
Bottle Hero
European Union
Highland Park 12
You save up to 1 EUR, where 1 EUR is the difference between the highest price and the lowest price
Chateaunet
France
Highland Park 12
Standard delivery 1-3 business days
More information
Producer
Highland Park is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Widely believed to have been founded in 1798, it is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries and among the most northerly in the country. The distillery is renowned for its balanced Orcadian style, combining gentle peat smoke with heather honey sweetness, sherry cask maturation and maritime influence that has made Highland Park one of the world's most respected whisky producers.
Quick Facts
- Country: Scotland
- Region: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
- Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Classification: N/A
- Style: Orcadian single malt with balanced peat smoke and sherry cask maturation
- Destillery Size: N/A
- Founded: 1798 (widely believed)
- Owner: Edrington Group
- Primary Whisky: Highland Park 18 Year Old
- Ageing Potential: indefinitely
- Investment Grade: Yes
- Consumer Profile: Whisky enthusiasts, collectors, fine spirits connoisseurs, luxury consumers
History and Heritage
Every expression begins with traditional floor malting, where a portion of the barley is still hand-turned and dried over peat cut from the distillery's own Hobbister Moor, contributing a distinctive aromatic smoke character. The distillery's coastal location and cool maritime climate allow for slow, refined maturation in carefully selected European and American oak sherry casks, which contribute remarkable depth, spice and dried fruit complexity to the whisky. Highland Park's commitment to using only the finest sherry-seasoned oak has become central to its house style and reputation among collectors and connoisseurs.
Distillery and Craft
The portfolio includes celebrated expressions such as Highland Park 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old, 25 Year Old and the Viking-inspired series including Valkyrie, Valknut and Valfather, alongside limited editions that showcase the distillery's versatility and craftsmanship. Rich honeyed malt, subtle peat smoke, dark chocolate, dried fruit and warming spice define the signature Highland Park character across the range. Consistently acclaimed by whisky writers and enthusiasts, the distillery remains a benchmark for balanced, complex island single malt and one of the most collectible producers in Scotland.
Explore every The Highland Park Distillery release and expression, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and discover the best offers with Sipfind.
Country
Region
Highland
Highland is one of the most respected whisky-producing regions in Scotland and covers the vast northern mainland from the Speyside border to the northernmost reaches of the country. Encompassing an extraordinarily diverse landscape of mountains, coastlines and glens, the region combines centuries of distilling tradition with exceptional natural resources, producing single malt Scotch whiskies of remarkable variety and character. Highland's sheer geographical scale ensures that no single house style defines the region, making it one of Scotland's most fascinating whisky territories.
The Highland climate varies significantly across the region, from maritime influences along the western and northern coasts to more continental conditions inland. Distilleries draw water from mountain springs, peat bogs and coastal streams, each contributing distinct mineral qualities and character. This diversity of water sources, combined with varying production methods and maturation practices, creates an unparalleled range of flavour profiles within a single region.
Highland whiskies are renowned for their complexity and depth, ranging from delicate floral expressions to rich, full-bodied malts with honeyed sweetness, dried fruit and subtle peat smoke. Distinguished distilleries including Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Oban, Clynelish and Old Pulteney each showcase unique interpretations of Highland character, from sherried richness to coastal salinity. This breadth of style has made Highland whisky a benchmark for exploring the diversity of Scotch single malt.
Explore Highland whiskies, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and discover the best offers with Sipfind.
Grapes
History and Style
Highland Park 12 Year Old stands as the flagship expression from The Highland Park Distillery, Scotland's most northerly whisky producer situated in the remote Orkney Islands. This core range single malt has earned international acclaim for its harmonious balance of contrasting flavors, making it one of the most awarded whiskies in the world and an essential benchmark for understanding Island Scotch whisky.
Quick Facts
- Country: Scotland
- Style: Balanced Island single malt with gentle smoke and sherry influence
- Alcohol (ABV): 40%
- Tasting Profile: Heather honey, aromatic peat smoke, dried fruit, heather, warm spice, subtle citrus
- Food Pairing: Smoked salmon, mature cheese, dark chocolate, shortbread
- Consumer Profile: Single malt enthusiasts, everyday sipping, gateway to premium Scotch, gifting
- Age Statement: 12 Years
- Release Type: Core Range
Distillery and Production
The distillery's unique location and production methods shape every aspect of this expression. Highland Park maintains its own floor maltings, using Orkney-grown barley dried over peat cut from Hobbister Moor, which imparts a distinctive aromatic smoke unlike the medicinal peat character found in Islay malts. The Orkney climate, tempered by maritime winds and relatively cool temperatures, creates ideal maturation conditions that allow the spirit to develop complexity slowly and gracefully.
Character and Style
Matured for a full twelve years in a carefully selected combination of American and European oak sherry-seasoned casks, Highland Park 12 delivers a multi-layered tasting experience. The palate reveals gentle heather honey sweetness intertwined with aromatic peat smoke, dried fruit, heather moorland character, and warm spice notes. The sherry cask influence adds depth and richness without overwhelming the distillery's delicate balance.
Whether enjoyed neat or with a small splash of water to open up its complex aromatics, Highland Park 12 Year Old offers an approachable yet sophisticated introduction to premium single malt Scotch whisky. Compare prices across merchants on Sipfind to find the best value for this timeless expression.