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.
Willem Dafoe has stepped up his involvement with iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig, unveiling a limited-edition single malt, Willem by Willem, crafted in collaboration with Sarah Dowling, Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker. Dafoe became a “Friend of Laphroaig” in 2025, a relationship which has since bloomed into a full blown creative collaboration. Working alongside Sarah Dowling, the…
Music fans and whisky lovers are in for a treat, as the Renaissance Roadshow returns to home turf on May 7 with a special listening event at the Loud & Clear showroom in Edinburgh. It’s a rare opportunity to experience award-winning £129,500 Audiovector R 10 Arreté loudspeakers, a no-compromise floor standing enclosure that redefines what’s…
Master of Malt has released a five-strong limited edition whisky collection to celebrate the upcoming summer of international football, bringing together English, Scottish and Irish expressions under a single (malt) banner. The all-star squad sport label artwork inspired by the kits of Italia ’90 and France ’98 (created by by in-house design duo Ben McKeown and…
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.
First pour: Laphroaig and Willem Dafoe deliver a bright, delicious take on Islay whisky
Willem Dafoe has stepped up his involvement with iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig, unveiling a limited-edition single malt, Willem by Willem, crafted in collaboration with Sarah Dowling, Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker. Dafoe became a “Friend of Laphroaig” in 2025, a relationship which has since bloomed into a full blown creative collaboration. Working alongside Sarah Dowling, the…
This high-end Hi-Fi and whisky tasting event in Edinburgh is not to be missed
Music fans and whisky lovers are in for a treat, as the Renaissance Roadshow returns to home turf on May 7 with a special listening event at the Loud & Clear showroom in Edinburgh. It’s a rare opportunity to experience award-winning £129,500 Audiovector R 10 Arreté loudspeakers, a no-compromise floor standing enclosure that redefines what’s…
Master of Malt limited edition football-inspired Whisky line-up features rare casks and retro kit
Master of Malt has released a five-strong limited edition whisky collection to celebrate the upcoming summer of international football, bringing together English, Scottish and Irish expressions under a single (malt) banner. The all-star squad sport label artwork inspired by the kits of Italia ’90 and France ’98 (created by by in-house design duo Ben McKeown and…
Share this: