Cask Number: 4

Age: 16 years

ABV: 51.0%

Cask Type: Bourbon Barrel Hogshead

Bottles: 372

Bottle Size: 700ml

Nose: Fresh baked bread, shortbread, gentle peat

Palate: Sweet honey, sea salt, maple syrup and honey crisp apples

Finish: Charred pita, nutmeg

Natural color, non-chill filtered.

About the 'Secret Orkney' Distillery

The journey to Orkney is one of intention. One must travel from central Scotland to just about the most northern portion of mainland Scotland to catch the ferry from Gills Bay. The A9 or NC 500 as it’s sometimes referred to is a scenic and beautiful route passing by several Highland distilleries, castles and sea cliffs but it is not for the faint of heart with its winding curves and narrow passes. A reservation for the ferry is a must and don’t forget a reservation for the rental car too. Bookings do sell out so you’ll need to plan ahead. But once board the ferry, it’s a relaxing and quick journey across the Pentland Firth to St. Margaret’s Hope.

Driving off the ferry onto Mainland Orkney, as the largest Orkney isle is referred to, you get a real sense of the historical importance of the isles. On the way to Kirkwall, the capital city and home of the 'Secret Orkney' Distillery one passes several stark reminders of wars past – the Italian Chapel, an ornate work of art built from scrap by Italian POWs during WWII and the Churchill Barriers with its many sunken boats.

Highland Park, for many years held the title of Scotland’s most northern distillery and with an official establishment in 1798, it also makes it one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Of course, Highland Park like many other distilleries can trace its roots to the era of illicit distilling and as legend has it, the distillery has ties to a smuggling priest, Magnus Eunson well before 1798! Official records, however, claim farmer David Robertson established Highland Park in 1798.

Highland Park’s storied location, just miles from some of the oldest neolithic sites in the world makes it a destination for not only whisky lovers but history lovers as well. Its famous wrought iron gates and ominous dark stone building greet visitors who park across the road in view of the old school dunnage warehouses.  The vibe on top of the hill is a bit old school Scotland, a bit Gothic combined with a bit Viking.

A tour and tasting is a must after the long journey north and visitors are not disappointed. A peak into Highland Park’s floor malting is a unique touch, as only a few distilleries in Scotland still (partially) do their own floor maltings.  Approximately 20% of Highland Park’s malt is hand malted on site. Another quirky fact about Highland Park is the casks used, Highland Park uses only oloroso sherry casks to age its whisky, giving it a fruity and spicy character.  The sweet sherry along with the smoky sea-salted Orkney peat used in its floor maltings give Highland Park its signature flavor. And whisky lovers, new and old certainly love that signature Orkney flavor.