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Highland Park Vintage 1980

malty peaty
€2,321Scotland, Island, Single Malt

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Far up in Orkney sits the most northerly single malt distillery in Scotland. Highland Park has worked there since 1798, when a butcher turned to making spirit. The local peat carries a high share of heather. And that gives the smoke a gentle floral edge rather than a harsh one. This old vintage shows what time in sherry-seasoned oak can do. Decades of slow maturation build deep dried fruit, warm cocoa and a thread of orange. The peat sits softly underneath, more aroma than bite. Bottled without chill filtration, it keeps its full oily weight. Pour it neat and let it unfold slowly.

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About the distillery

Distillery

Highland Park

Highland Park distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in Kirkwall, on the island of Orkney in Scotland. The distillery was founded in 1798 and is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, with over 200 years of whisky-making experience. The distillery is located on a hill overlooking Kirkwall, and draws its water from the nearby Cattie Maggie spring. Highland Park produces a range of whiskies, including both unpeated and peated expressions, which are aged in a combination of oak casks, including ex-bourbon, sherry, and hogshead casks.

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About the Highland Park Vintage 1980

Highland Park Vintage 1980 is a single malt Scotch whisky from the Island region of Scotland. It comes from Highland Park, the most northerly whisky distillery in the country, set in Kirkwall on Orkney. The distillery was founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson, a butcher who first distilled in secret. It gained its licence in 1826 and has run on the same windswept site ever since. The cold northern climate slows maturation, letting the spirit draw flavour from the wood at an unhurried pace. Few distilleries can claim such a remote, storied home. Highland Park burns local peat that holds far more heather than most. This gives a smoke that feels floral and aromatic rather than sharp. The malt then rests in sherry-seasoned oak casks, a choice that shapes much of its richness. The result is a balanced malt, never too smoky. In the glass, this old vintage shows the reward of long years. Deep sherry leads, layered with dried fruit and bright orange. Cocoa and toasted oak follow, while a soft peaty thread runs beneath. There is an oily, malty weight that coats the mouth and lingers. Hints of cocoa, orange and oak weave through the long finish. This is single malt Scotch whisky made for slow sipping. Highland Park Vintage 1980 carries an ABV of 50.5% and is bottled without chill filtration. That keeps every drop of its natural texture and depth intact. This is a rare old bottling for unhurried, reflective sipping. Enjoy it neat, with time to let the flavours open and settle.