Highland Park 18 Years is mature Orkney whisky at its most composed: layers of heather honey, bright citrus, sherry-led oak spice, and the distillery’s signature aromatic heather peat smoke. It’s full-bodied yet refined—rich without heaviness.
Its depth comes from a higher proportion of whisky matured in first-fill, sherry-seasoned European oak casks, delivering intense fruit and spice. This is rounded out with sherry-seasoned American oak and a smaller share of refill casks, keeping the style balanced, vibrant, and complex.
Nose Orange peel/oil, dried fruit and honey, followed by vanilla, soft toffee and warming spice. The smoke sits gently in the background—more fragrant moorland than bonfire.
Palate Rich and precise: honeyed sweetness, darker fruit tones, a hint of chocolate, and structured oak spice. The smoke acts as a fine thread that ties everything together rather than taking over.
Finish Long and warming, with spiced oak, sherried fruit and a lingering, aromatic smoky echo that fades clean and elegant.
The producer – Highland Park, Orkney Highland Park is based in Kirkwall on Orkney and is widely regarded as Scotland’s northernmost single malt distillery, with licensed origins often cited as 1798. Its distinctive smoke comes from local heather-rich Orkney peat sourced from Hobbister Moor, creating a more aromatic, floral style of smoke than the heavily medicinal Islay profile. Highland Park also retains traditional floor malting in part, and the brand is owned today by Edrington.
