Highland Park
Single malt from Orkney, the island group north of Scotland. Sweet heather honey, sherry casks and gentle, aromatic smoke. Here you can read which Highland Park suits you, how to drink it and which glass goes with it.
Sweet smoke from the Orkney Islands
Highland Park is a single malt whisky from Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. This island group lies north of mainland Scotland and has a strong Norse history; that is why the brand displays its Viking heritage so prominently on its bottles. The distillery has existed since 1798 and is one of the northernmost in Scotland. The brand belongs to Edrington, the company that also makes The Macallan.
What makes Highland Park special is the peat. Almost no trees grow on Orkney; the peat consists mainly of heather. Highland Park still malts some of its own barley and dries it over this heather peat. This gives it a gentle, aromatic smoke with a sweet, honeyed side, very different from Islay's salty, medicinal smoke. In addition, the whisky is largely matured in casks that previously held sherry. The result is a whisky that sits between gentle and smoky.
In brief
What types of Highland Park are there?
From the approachable 12 Years to the powerful Cask Strength. The older the whisky, the more sherry and dark fruit it has, and the softer the smoke. For true collectors, Gall & Gall also offers the Highland Park 30 Years in a limited edition.
Highland Park 12 Years
The house classic. Seville orange, cinnamon fruitcake, heather honey and a hint of peat smoke.
Viking Scars 10 Years
Young and lively, with citrus, vanilla cream and heather honey. A half bottle to get acquainted.
Dragon Legend
Matured in European oak sherry casks. Vanilla cream, winter spices, lemon, heather honey and aromatic smoke.
15 Years Viking Heart
Fifteen years old, with the characteristic smoky sweetness of heather peat. Fuller and more mature than the 12.
18 Years Viking Pride
Complex and balanced: ripe cherries, dark chocolate, fresh honeycomb and gentle smoke.
Highland Park 21 Years
Matured in three types of casks. Fresh ginger, orange, vanilla cream and a dash of honey, with a full finish.
Cask Strength Release 4
Undiluted at cask strength, matured mainly in first-fill sherry casks. Powerful and rich; dilute to taste with water.
Start with the 12 Years. If you like more sherry and depth, choose the 18 Years Viking Pride.
Heather honey, orange and gentle smoke
Honey & heather
Heather honey and orange, with fruitcake, cinnamon and a light, sweet smoke. The older bottles also offer cherry, chocolate and dried fruit.
Round and sweet
Creamy and rounded, with honey, vanilla and candied citrus. The smoke is present but gentle and aromatic, never sharp.
Medium to long
A warm finish with spices, honey and a hint of smoke. The older the whisky, the longer it lingers.
Flavor profile of Highland Park 12 Years. The Cask Strength is much more powerful, while the 18 and 21 Years are sweeter and more complex.
Three ways to drink Highland Park
Highland Park is a versatile whisky: gentle enough for those just starting out, with enough smoke and sherry for enthusiasts.
Neat, with a drop of water
Pour 30 ml into a tulip-shaped tasting glass and let it sit for a moment. A few drops of water open up the honey and fruit. With the Cask Strength, water is almost essential: start with a teaspoon and taste again.
Glass: tasting glass →On the rocks
One large ice cube in a tumbler keeps the whisky cool without diluting it quickly. The 12 Years and Viking Scars are especially delicious this way as an aperitif.
Glass: tumbler →In a cocktail
The gentle smoke and sherry notes work well in classic whisky cocktails. Choose the 12 Years or Dragon Legend for an Old Fashioned or a Rob Roy.
Go to the cocktails →Cocktails with Highland Park
A whisky with gentle smoke and sherry is ideal for classic cocktails. You taste the whisky without the smoke taking over.
Old Fashioned
Whisky, a sugar cube and bitters, with an orange zest that complements the honey and citrus.
Penicillin
Whisky with lemon, honey and ginger. Highland Park's heather honey complements it beautifully.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey, lemon and whisky. Warm and spicy, with a hint of smoke.
Whisky cocktails
All whisky cocktails in one overview, from Whiskey Sour to Rob Roy.The right glass for Highland Park
A tulip-shaped tasting glass lets you smell the honey and smoke separately. For on the rocks and cocktails, choose a sturdy tumbler. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Highland Park
Can't find your question here? Browse our cocktail recipes or read more about Scotch.
To Scotch whisky →What percentage of alcohol is in Highland Park?
Where does Highland Park come from?
Is Highland Park smoky?
What is the difference between the 12 and 18 Years?
Which Highland Park is good as a gift?
Which glass do you use for Highland Park?
Buy Highland Park
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Highland Park online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 9, 4 of which are on sale.
Prices as of October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No under 18s, no alcohol.