Highland Park Distillery
Holm Road, Kirkwall
Orkney
History: This stunning distillery was founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson. The name of this whisky does not refer to The Highlands of Scotland, but rather to the fact that the distillery was founded on an area called 'High Park' distinguished from a lower area nearby. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries to malt its own barley, using locally cut peat from Hobbister Moor. It is also the most northerly whisky distillery in Scotland, half a mile farther north than that at Scapa distillery.
The Whisky: This is a Whisky lovers Whisky, it has a great reputation amongst the single malt illuminati and for good reason. They constantly bring out new expressions which are all of the great standard you would expect from Highland Park. They have a expansive range of Whiskies consisting of a 12yr old right up to a 40yr old, with all sorts of gems in between. They also have a range dedicated to their Nordic ancestry called The Warrior Collection.
Favourite Tipple: Everybody goes on about how amazing the multi-award winning 18yr old is, and guess what? they are not lying. This is a triumph of a single malt, it has the Highland Park signature slight smoke on the nose with a touch cinnamon and allspice and notes of toffee with a fresh honey and citrus finish. This won best spirit in the world a few years back and for good reason.
Why visit?: I have been to a lot of Distilleries over the years and this is up there as one of my favourites. Yes its not the easiest place to take a day trip too but take a few days out of your hectic schedule and i promise you will not be disappointed with Highland Park or this amazing Island. The staff here are knowledgable and very passionate about what they do and that comes across in the tours. There are 4 levels of tour you can choose from from the £7.50 standard tour to the full on Magnus Eunson tour for £75, check out www.highlandpark.co.uk for more details.
Interesting fact: Highland Park will forever be associated with Magnus Eunson, the man often credited with the foundation of the distillery at the end of the 18th century. Eunson was not a preacher as received wisdom would have it. He was a beadle by day and a smuggler by night, the latter operation based from his bothy on the High Park above Kirkwall where Highland Park Distillery now stands.
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