Highland Park | 37 Jahre | 1984/2021 | Private Collection | Gordon & MacPhail | 46,3%

The Highland Park Distillery is the northernmost single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Scotland and is located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands. The distillery was founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, a butcher and church officer who worked as an illegal distiller and whisky smuggler at night. In 1826, Highland Park received an official license to distill whisky.

The name of the distillery does not refer to the Scottish Highlands but to an area called "High Park" where the distillery was founded. Highland Park uses local peat, which contains a higher proportion of heather compared to other types of peat, and the water comes from the nearby spring "Cattie Maggie's Spring." The whisky matures in sherry casks made of American or European oak, sourced from Oloroso sherry producers in Spain.

Some of the most famous bottlings include the Highland Park 12 Year Old, known for its well-balanced aromas of oranges, fruitcake, heather honey, and light smoke, as well as the Highland Park 18 Year Old, which offers more complex flavor notes of cherries, dark chocolate, and aromatic smoke. Other notable bottlings include the Highland Park 21 Year Old, 25 Year Old, 30 Year Old, and the rare 40 Year Old.

Highland Park also has special series like the "Valhalla" range, named after Norse gods, and the "Orcadian Vintage" series, which includes vintage bottlings from the 1960s and 1970s. The distillery has received numerous awards, including the "Chairman’s Trophy" at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Gordon & MacPhail: A Guide to the Scottish Whisky Bottler with Tradition

Gordon & MacPhail is one of the oldest and most prestigious independent whisky bottlers in Scotland, with origins dating back to 1895. Founded by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail, the company remains family-owned, managed by the Urquhart family, and is headquartered in Elgin, in the heart of Speyside, a region famous for its whisky production.

Over a Century of Whisky Expertise

Over the years, Gordon & MacPhail has developed unique expertise in maturing whisky. The company is known for selecting exceptional casks and aging them to perfection in their own warehouses. Many of their whiskies mature for decades, some for over 30, 40, or even 50 years before bottling.

A Diverse Portfolio

Gordon & MacPhail's range includes various product lines such as 'Connoisseurs Choice', 'Private Collection', and 'Generations'. Each line features its own theme and style, ranging from young, vibrant bottlings to rare, decades-old whiskies. Notably, Gordon & MacPhail also offers whiskies from closed distilleries, providing connoisseurs the chance to experience historically significant single malts.

Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation

In addition to preserving tradition, Gordon & MacPhail places great emphasis on sustainability and the advancement of their production processes. The company has recently announced plans to gradually reduce its role as an independent bottler and focus more on producing its own distillates. This includes using whisky from their own distilleries like Benromach and The Cairn to enhance the quality and uniqueness of their products.

For whisky enthusiasts, Gordon & MacPhail offer not just a tasting of top-quality malts but also a profound experience of Scottish whisky history, marked by the company's dedication and passion.