Our latest Octave Premium release is from HIGHLAND PARK on the northern island of Orkney. The total number of bottles produced is 67 from cask number 5029274, and bottled at a cask strength of 55.3%.

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Distillery background:

The northernmost whisky distillery in the world, Highland Park is situated on the island of Orkney to the west of Kirkwall.

The name ‘Highland Park’ originates from the rise of hills above Kirkwall, Orkneys capital, which were known as High Park. It is in these hills, in 1798, that Magnus Eunson first started distilling whisky although illegally. The distillery was licensed in 1826 by Robert Borwick, who had acquired it and the surrounding land after Magnus Eunson had been arrested. The distillery takes its water from the springs of Cattie Maggie. Traditional floor maltings are still used, where the barley is dried over a fire of local heather peat. The peat is cut from the nearby Hobbister Moor, which gives a heathery smokiness to Highland Park’s character.

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BEFORE Tasting Notes:

Colour: Pale Straw.

Nose: Slightly earthy, oatcakes and vanilla, orange drops, lemongrass and linseed, sponge finger biscuits. Quite subtle and reserved at first but opens out with time.

Palate: Clean and boisterous, lemon meringue pie, fresh oysters, wet sand and seashore rocks with herbal dill and dried tarragon. Very crisp.

Finish: Honey, brine and heather, green peppercorns, some very light BBQ notes and faint wood smoke.

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AFTER Tasting Notes:

Colour: Pale Gold.

Nose: Hazelnut coffee, rum and raisin fudge, dark chocolate orange and heather honey with a dusting of gristy barley.

Palate: Spicy heather honey, white pepper and cinnamon all develop into sweet raisins and dried fruits with salt caramel toffee. Richly mouthcoating.

Finish: Rich and rewarding. Nicely balanced between the raisin sweetness and the soft spice. Some leathery smoke in the aftertaste.

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Available now. For where to buy, please enquire via the contact form.