Highland Park has announced Cask Strength: Heather, a limited-edition single malt made with 100% Orkney peat-smoked barley, bottled at a cask strength of 63.6% ABV.
This whisky represents the brand’s most pronounced expression yet of Orkney’s aromatic heathered peat, the company says, a unique local ingredient.
Highland Park’s peat is responsibly sourced from Hobbister Moor, just a few miles down the road from its distillery in Kirkwall, the company says. When this peat is used to make Highland Park whisky, it results in a hint of aromatic smoke.
Cask Strength: Heather matured in first-fill European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks and select refill casks, meant to balance the heathered smoke with sweetness from the cask.
This whisky is the first of Highland Park’s refreshed Cask Strength releases, through which the brand will continue to explore expressions of its Orkney character and provenance.
On the nose, Cask Strength: Heather has notes of bonfire smoke, vanilla pods and brandy butter, according to the distillery. The palate brings creamy marshmallow and nutty notes of macadamia, offset by peppery spice and floral smokiness. The finish has vanilla sweetness and perfumed smoke. Throughout is the fragrant influence of Orkney heathered peat smoke.
This whisky has been non-chill filtered and bottled at a cask strength of at 63.6% ABV, and gets its natural deep amber color from the cask without the use of additives.
Highland Park Cask Strength: Heather is available for purchase via Reserve Bar, and rolls out to retailers in January 2026. The suggested retail price is $80 per 700-ml. bottle.
