Orkney-based distillery Highland Park has launched Cask Strength: Heather, a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky. Bottled at 63.6% ABV, the expression is the first in the brand’s refreshed Cask Strength series and is crafted using 100% Orkney peat-smoked barley.
The whisky is designed to highlight the unique aromatic profile of the peat sourced from Hobbister Moor, located near the distillery in Kirkwall.
Over millennia, the local peat has been infused with heather, which imparts a distinct floral character to the smoke used in Highland Park’s production process.
According to the brand, this release represents its “most pronounced expression yet of Orkney’s aromatic heathered peat.”
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According to a brand press release, Highland Park Heather represents “a proud celebration of this unique ingredient—a true flavour of Orkney that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.”
The new single malt was matured in first-fill European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks, along with select refill casks for balance.
Watson said his team aimed to finely balance the influence of the peat-smoked barley and the sherry casks.
He added that the whisky’s “rich sweetness comes from first-fill European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks, which have been rounded off with select refill casks for smoothness and balance.”
The spirit is non-chill filtered and has a natural deep amber color derived from its time in the casks.
Cask-strength bottlings have gained popularity among whisky consumers seeking a more direct and intense expression of a distillery’s character, bottled without dilution. Highland Park is known for its signature balance of gentle, heather-infused smoke and sherry cask sweetness.
Official tasting notes from the brand describe the nose as having “bonfire smoke, vanilla pods, and brandy butter.”
The palate is noted as “rich and oily, with marshmallow sweetness, macadamia nuts, peppery spice and floral smoke.”
It is said to have a finish of “vanilla sweetness and perfumed smoke.”
The packaging design features a deep pink-purple gradient on the box, intended to reflect the color of heather on Hobbister Moor.
Highland Park Cask Strength: Heather is now available for purchase in the U.S. via Reserve Bar. It has a recommended retail price of $80 USD for a 700ml bottle.
A wider global release is scheduled for January 2026 through the distillery’s own retail channels and select premium on-trade and off-trade partners.
