The Best Highland Park Whiskies

The second release of four in the Valhalla Collection, this made its debut in the market in 2013. Orcadians have a significant percentage of Norse lineage and as such, Highland Park is paying tribute to this part of their history. The Norse mythological god, Loki is a trickster, shape-shifter god. This bottling is aged in their traditional use of ex-sherry, but is also aged in casks previously containing heavily peated Scotch, quite a departure for Highland Park. It is 15 years old and bottled at 97.4 proof. 21,000 bottles available worldwide.

Highland Park is renowned for the peat they use and for their exclusive use of ex-Sherry casks. The climate on the Orkney Islands is quite windy and sea swept creating a dismal environment for trees. As such, the Orcadian peat bogs have more heather, grass, and plants than those on Islay. Highland Park 12, first released in 1979, uses about 20% 1st-fill sherry casks. Name change and bottle update in 2017.

This is the third release in Highland Park's Cask Strength range which was launched in 2020 and is a permanent part of the distillery's core range. Crafted by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion, this third batch was made using a higher proportion of Orkney peated malt. It was aged in first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak barrels with some refill barrels included. It launched globally in September 2022. Bottled at 64.1% ABV without chill-filtration.

Released in 2012, Thor is the first of four in the Valhalla series, a limited edition line from Highland Park. The Valhalla series honors the Scandinavian influence in Orkney and a few Norse mythological gods and goddesses. Thor is the Norse god of thunder and lightning as well as being associated with oak trees. This bottling is a 16 year old single malt and is 104.2 proof. 23,000 bottles released worldwide.

Highland Park distillery, considered the jewel of Orkney Island, has released a 25 year old version of their core expression Scotch. This one is matured in a higher percentage of first fill sherry casks than the 18 year old. The distillery is known for drying their barley with Hobbister Moor peat, which burns more floral and less rubbery and briny than from Islay.

This 21 Year was only available in Global Travel Retail markets when it debuted in 2007. It has since been made available in many global markets, though not in the US. The popularity of this bottling caused, for a short time, the proof to be lowered to 80 due to stock shortages. In 2012, this wrong was righted and is now back at 95 proof. It is aged predominately in American ex-sherry casks.

The Valhalla Collection continues with this third release named Freya. Freya is not only the mythological Norse goddess of love, fertility, and beauty but also of war, death, and seidr--a form of sorcery. Released in 2014, this is a 15 year old single malt aged in first-fill bourbon barrels. It is bottled at 102.4.

First released in 2008, this whisky is aged exclusively in refilled ex-sherry casks. With a latitude on the Orkney Islands mirroring that of Anchorage, Alaska and Oslo, Norway; the angels share is just a little less per year than most of Scotland (1% vs 2% per year,respectively). This means more whisky can age for a longer time at Highland Park.

Unlike the 25 Year Old Highland Park which ages half of its whisky in 1st fill ex-sherry casks, the 30 Year Old is aged entirely in refill ex-sherry casks so as not to overwhelm the classic Highland Park signature.

Shudder to think that Highland Park 18 has only been with us since 1997. What were we drinking instead? With the highest of accolades awarded in the whisky world under their belt, one wonders what is their secret to success. The selection and creation of the casks has to be part of the recipe. Using both European and American oak, casks are built to their specifications and sent off to Jerez to be filled with Oloroso Sherry. Three years later, they get them back and the journey begins.