Highland Park 12 Year

Highland Park 12 Year is the benchmark expression from the northernmost whisky distillery in Scotland — located in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands, where the combination of Viking heritage, Atlantic climate, and in-house heather-peat creates a single malt house style unlike anything else in the category.

Highland Park is one of the few remaining distilleries that still malts a portion of its own barley on traditional floor maltings, using peat cut from the Hobbister Moor on Orkney. Orkney peat is distinctive: it is younger and more heather-rich than the coastal peat used on Islay, producing a gentler, more aromatic smoke that integrates with rather than dominates the spirit. The result at 12 years is a whisky where the peat is present but balanced — a background warmth rather than a feature.

The maturation uses a combination of sherry-seasoned European and American oak casks, which build the heather honey and dried fruit character that defines the Highland Park style. At 40% ABV it is consistently one of the strongest value propositions in the category. Browse the full Highland Park collection at Wooden Cork.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Heather honey, dried citrus peel, Seville orange marmalade, a hint of vanilla, and a background of aromatic Orkney peat smoke
• Palate: Rich and rounded — heather honey sweetness, dried fruit, warm winter spice, and a gentle coastal peat note
• Finish: Medium-long, warming, and slightly smoky with lingering dried fruit and honey

Specs

• Distillery: Highland Park, Kirkwall, Orkney
• Region: Islands, Scotland
• Age Statement: 12 Years
• Cask Type: Sherry-seasoned European and American oak
• Peat Level: Lightly peated (Orkney heather peat)
• ABV: 40%
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Scotch whisky collection at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Highland Park 12 peaty like Islay whisky?

No — Highland Park uses Orkney heather peat, which is much gentler and more aromatic than the coastal peat used on Islay. The smoke is present as a background note rather than the primary character. It is suitable for drinkers who are curious about peat but not ready for full Islay intensity.

What makes Highland Park different from other Island single malts?

The combination of in-house floor maltings, Orkney heather peat, and sherry cask maturation produces a distinctive sweet-and-smoke balance that is unique to the distillery. Most Island malts do not operate their own maltings, making Highland Park’s level of craft self-sufficiency genuinely rare.