Highland Park has unveiled Sherry Skies, a 19 Year Old limited edition single malt that honours the legacy of outgoing Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion. With just 1,200 bottles available, this release marks the culmination of nearly three decades of dedication, craft, and innovation at the Orkney distillery.
Bottled at 48.8% ABV, Sherry Skies is composed of six European oak sherry-seasoned casks, sourced and seasoned in Jerez, and three ex-bourbon barrels. This deep sherry influence brings notes of intense jammy dried fruit and sweet tannic spices, balanced with the subtle hint of aromatic smoke of Orkney heathered peat.
Sherry Skies’ deep sherry influence brings notes of intense jammy dried fruit and sweet tannic spices…
“I’ve sampled 100,000s of casks during my 27-year career, and the nine selected for Sherry Skies deliver a unique depth of flavour,” says Motion, “singing with the sherry sweetness that I have loved exploring and perfecting.”
Official tasting notes report a nose of toasted oak, fragrant vanilla, and poached pear. On the palate, there’s a smooth intensity, as sweet, caramelised fruits mingle with clove and orange peel, offering both brightness and spice. The finish is said to be long, with lingering notes of cinnamon, anise, and a wisp of peat smoke.
Stepping into Motion’s role, is Marc Watson, former Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year, who now takes up the creative mantle at Highland Park.
Priced at £265, limited bottles of Sherry Skies are available at the Highland Park Distillery and Albert Street store in Orkney, and online at highlandparkwhisky.com.
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
House of Hazelwood has unveiled the latest chapter in its accumulating archive of premium Scotch, releasing four new expressions under the Charles Gordon Collection. The Speyside-based custodian of the Gordon family’s extensive cask inventory, has built a reputation for premium curated bottlings, and these new offerings draw on nearly half a century of patient maturation.…
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…
The Luxe Review 
Highland Park has unveiled Sherry Skies, a 19 Year Old limited edition single malt that honours the legacy of outgoing Master Whisky Maker Gordon Motion. With just 1,200 bottles available, this release marks the culmination of nearly three decades of dedication, craft, and innovation at the Orkney distillery.
Bottled at 48.8% ABV, Sherry Skies is composed of six European oak sherry-seasoned casks, sourced and seasoned in Jerez, and three ex-bourbon barrels. This deep sherry influence brings notes of intense jammy dried fruit and sweet tannic spices, balanced with the subtle hint of aromatic smoke of Orkney heathered peat.
“I’ve sampled 100,000s of casks during my 27-year career, and the nine selected for Sherry Skies deliver a unique depth of flavour,” says Motion, “singing with the sherry sweetness that I have loved exploring and perfecting.”
Official tasting notes report a nose of toasted oak, fragrant vanilla, and poached pear. On the palate, there’s a smooth intensity, as sweet, caramelised fruits mingle with clove and orange peel, offering both brightness and spice. The finish is said to be long, with lingering notes of cinnamon, anise, and a wisp of peat smoke.
Stepping into Motion’s role, is Marc Watson, former Whisky Distillery Manager of the Year, who now takes up the creative mantle at Highland Park.
Priced at £265, limited bottles of Sherry Skies are available at the Highland Park Distillery and Albert Street store in Orkney, and online at highlandparkwhisky.com.
Hackstons acquires rare collection of Unicorn whiskies from Van Winkle, Weller and Buffalo Trace
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
Ultra-rare 1970s whiskies lead House of Hazelwood 2026 Charles Gordon Collection release
House of Hazelwood has unveiled the latest chapter in its accumulating archive of premium Scotch, releasing four new expressions under the Charles Gordon Collection. The Speyside-based custodian of the Gordon family’s extensive cask inventory, has built a reputation for premium curated bottlings, and these new offerings draw on nearly half a century of patient maturation.…
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…
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