Highland Park, the renowned Orkney-based distillery, has unveiled its oldest whisky to date: Highland Park 56. Crafted from never-before-tasted casks laid down in 1968, this ultra-rare premium release is limited to 170 bottles globally.
The journey of Highland Park 56 began more than five decades ago when ten exceptional casks were selected and stored in the distillery’s Orkney warehouses. Spearheaded by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion, during his first year of his tenure, the whisky has matured in a combination of refill casks and first-fill sherry-seasoned casks.
The journey of Highland Park 56 began more than five decades ago when ten exceptional casks were selected and stored in the distillery’s Orkney warehouses…
The Highland Park 56 YO boasts ‘a remarkable balance’
Says Gordon Motion, reflecting on this rarefied release: “As casks are natural products, and each of them unique, I broadly know what I’ll get from each, but every now and then I find something interesting that just stops me in my tracks and that’s exactly what I experienced with these ten. The second maturation has allowed me to push them even further and I know we’ve created something special.
“There isn’t the intense woodiness often found in whiskies of this age, instead, there’s a remarkable balance that makes this whisky truly special.”
Highland Park 56 tasting notes
The palate is said to offer notes of Seville orange peel, coriander seeds, and distinctive lapsang souchong tea, while the exit is a hesitant mix of subtle woody spices, honeyed oak, and the signature fragrant heathery peat smoke.
Of course, Highland Park 56 isn’t just about the whisky itself; it’s also a tribute to Orkney’s natural heritage and traditions, reflected through the artistry of its presentation.
Bottle and case have been designed by master crafters John Galvin and Michael Rudak
In a continued collaboration between master crafters John Galvin and Michael Rudak, the presentation draws inspiration from Orkney’s iconic Standing Stones of Stenness. Created over 5,000 years ago and thought to be the earliest henge monument on the British Isles, they’re a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Galvin, known for his intricate woodwork, has crafted a presentation case that stands as an abstract tribute to these stones, while glass designer Michael Rudak has infused the decanter with organic, irregular textures, mirroring the rugged beauty of the Orkney terrain.
Priced at £40,000, connoisseurs and collectors can buy this remarkable release through select whisky specialists, including The Whisky Shop.
The Whisky Exchange has announced a loyalty programme that will reward customers with exclusive bottlings, shared knowledge, discounts and much more. Current customers subscribed to The Whisky Exchange newsletter are first in line, before the scheme rolls out to all customers mid-April. Friends of The Whisky Exchange will be open to all customers around the…
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig has introduced its first permanent core single malt. Crafted in small batches, Torabhaig Taigh is matured in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon casks, with the addition of Madeira casks to round out the profile. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, with no chill filtration and no added colour.…
The Luxe Review 
Highland Park, the renowned Orkney-based distillery, has unveiled its oldest whisky to date: Highland Park 56. Crafted from never-before-tasted casks laid down in 1968, this ultra-rare premium release is limited to 170 bottles globally.
The distillery’s previous oldest release was a 54-year-old, launched early 2023.
The journey of Highland Park 56 began more than five decades ago when ten exceptional casks were selected and stored in the distillery’s Orkney warehouses. Spearheaded by Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion, during his first year of his tenure, the whisky has matured in a combination of refill casks and first-fill sherry-seasoned casks.
Says Gordon Motion, reflecting on this rarefied release: “As casks are natural products, and each of them unique, I broadly know what I’ll get from each, but every now and then I find something interesting that just stops me in my tracks and that’s exactly what I experienced with these ten. The second maturation has allowed me to push them even further and I know we’ve created something special.
“There isn’t the intense woodiness often found in whiskies of this age, instead, there’s a remarkable balance that makes this whisky truly special.”
Highland Park 56 tasting notes
The palate is said to offer notes of Seville orange peel, coriander seeds, and distinctive lapsang souchong tea, while the exit is a hesitant mix of subtle woody spices, honeyed oak, and the signature fragrant heathery peat smoke.
Of course, Highland Park 56 isn’t just about the whisky itself; it’s also a tribute to Orkney’s natural heritage and traditions, reflected through the artistry of its presentation.
In a continued collaboration between master crafters John Galvin and Michael Rudak, the presentation draws inspiration from Orkney’s iconic Standing Stones of Stenness. Created over 5,000 years ago and thought to be the earliest henge monument on the British Isles, they’re a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Galvin, known for his intricate woodwork, has crafted a presentation case that stands as an abstract tribute to these stones, while glass designer Michael Rudak has infused the decanter with organic, irregular textures, mirroring the rugged beauty of the Orkney terrain.
Priced at £40,000, connoisseurs and collectors can buy this remarkable release through select whisky specialists, including The Whisky Shop.
The Whisky Exchange launches loyalty programme with exclusive bottlings and discounts
The Whisky Exchange has announced a loyalty programme that will reward customers with exclusive bottlings, shared knowledge, discounts and much more. Current customers subscribed to The Whisky Exchange newsletter are first in line, before the scheme rolls out to all customers mid-April. Friends of The Whisky Exchange will be open to all customers around the…
Triple-distilled Pineapple Bananza Irish single malt joins SMWS Heresy range
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig unveils Taigh as first core single malt, brings poetry to peat whisky
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig has introduced its first permanent core single malt. Crafted in small batches, Torabhaig Taigh is matured in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon casks, with the addition of Madeira casks to round out the profile. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, with no chill filtration and no added colour.…
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