Highland Park 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky

The Highland Park 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is widely regarded as one of the most beautifully balanced aged Scotch whiskies available. Matured for nearly two decades, it combines the distillery’s signature heather-honey sweetness, subtle Orkney peat smoke, and sherry-cask richness into a whisky that is both powerful and refined. Long praised by whisky writers and collectors, it represents a benchmark for mature island single malts—deeply complex yet remarkably smooth.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Highland Park is produced in Kirkwall on Scotland’s Orkney Islands, one of the northernmost whisky distilleries in the world. Founded in 1798, the distillery is known for its traditional production methods, including floor-malting some of its own barley and using locally cut heathered peat, which produces a softer, more aromatic smoke than the heavily medicinal peat of Islay whiskies.

The 18 Year Old expression, often called “Viking Pride,” is matured for a minimum of 18 years in a carefully selected combination of:

• First-fill sherry-seasoned European oak casks
• Sherry-seasoned American oak casks
• Refill oak casks

The heavy use of first-fill sherry casks contributes much of the whisky’s depth—bringing notes of dried fruit, spice, and dark chocolate—while the distillery’s lightly peated malt provides the distinctive Highland Park smokiness.

Bottled at 43% ABV, the whisky is known for its exceptional balance between sweetness, spice, fruit, and smoke.

Critics Reviews

Highland Park 18 has long been considered one of the most acclaimed aged Scotch whiskies.

• Paul Pacult famously named it “Best Spirit in the World.”
• F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal also ranked it among the finest whiskies ever released.
• The whisky has earned numerous international awards, including Gold medals at the International Spirits Challenge and San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

It remains one of the most decorated core-range Scotch whiskies produced today.

"Beguiling nose of heather honey, warm cereal, cured meats, sandalwood, and sage with the faintest whisper of smoke. Orange liqueur, Maraschino cherries, and a welcome touch of peat balance out honeyed fruit and cocoa on the palate. Simply put, this is as good as it gets." 96 Points 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge

"A benchmark whisky, this brilliant dram offers notes of toffee, sea smoke, red apple skin, clover honey, and red grapefruit pith. The palate is a symphony of smoky, sweet spice and stone fruits before smoke and espresso bean crescendo onto a bright, luxurious finish." 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge  97 Points

"Opening aromas are of sea breeze, cigar smoke, oak and malted barley; air contact releases light caramel, fudge, cocoa bean, burnt candle wick and heather. Entry is the most complex of any whisky; midpalate soars on oak, spirit and grain tastes. The greatest distilled spirit of this generation. Buy whatever you can find." Wine Enthusiast 98 Points

Tasting Profile

Nose
Heather honey, dried apricot, orange peel, toasted oak, and delicate aromatic peat.

Palate
Rich and full-bodied with dark chocolate, caramel, dried fruit, cinnamon spice, and subtle maritime smoke.

Finish
Long and elegant with lingering honey sweetness, warming spice, and gentle peat smoke.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

(While typically enjoyed neat, Highland Park 18 can make a luxurious classic whisky cocktail.)

Orkney Old Fashioned

Ingredients

• 2 oz Highland Park 18
• ¼ oz demerara syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel

Preparation

1. Combine syrup and bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add whisky and stir until chilled.
3. Strain over a large cube in a rocks glass.
4. Express orange peel oils and garnish.

Rob Roy Reserve

Ingredients

• 2 oz Highland Park 18
• ¾ oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• Brandied cherry

Preparation

1. Stir all ingredients with ice until well chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a brandied cherry.