Highland Park Releases Its Oldest Whisky Yet: The 56-Year-Old Masterpiece

When it comes to crafting exceptional whisky, few can rival the rich history and expertise of Highland Park. The Orkney distillery has once again raised the bar with the release of its oldest whisky to date: the Highland Park 56-Year-Old.

With just 170 bottles available worldwide, this rare gem comes with a price tag of £40,000 (US$49,437). Let’s dive into the story behind this extraordinary release.

An Unprecedented Milestone

Highland Park 56-Year-Old surpasses the brand’s previous record-holder, the 54-Year-Old whisky released in February 2023. This new expression comes from a never-before-tasted cask, part of a lineage that has produced some of the distillery’s most coveted and rarest whiskies.

The journey of this whisky began in 1968 when Gordon Motion, who later became Highland Park’s master whisky maker, identified 10 “exceptional” casks during his first year in the role in 2008. These casks were given a second maturation in first-fill, Sherry-seasoned casks, a decision that played a key role in shaping the whisky’s complex character.

“As casks are natural products, and each of them unique, I broadly know what I’ll get from each,” explained Motion. “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 10. The second maturation has allowed me to push them even further, and I know we’ve created something special.”

Flavours That Defy Expectations

The 56-Year-Old whisky offers a unique tasting experience, showcasing a balance of complexity and vibrancy rarely seen in spirits of its age.

At 47.1% ABV, the whisky boasts an aroma of jasmine, lilac, sweet raisins, and cloudy honey. On the palate, it reveals flavours of Seville orange peel, coriander seeds, and lapsang souchong tea.

Notably, the use of Orkney’s local heathered peat imparts a “distinctive subtle smoke” to the whisky. Motion added, “What excites me most about the 56 whisky is that it has both complexity and vibrancy. Even after all these years, the distinctive character of Highland Park’s Orkney heathered peat stands out. There isn’t the intense woodiness that I’d typically expect to taste in a whisky of this age.”

A Design Inspired by Orkney’s Heritage

The Highland Park 56-Year-Old isn’t just a triumph in flavour; it’s also a visual masterpiece. The bottle and presentation case draws inspiration from Orkney’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, particularly the ancient Standing Stones of Stenness.

The design was brought to life through a collaboration between master crafter John Galvin and glass designer Michael Rudak, who previously worked on the Highland Park 54-year-old.

Galvin explained, “Highland Park 54 was all about how Orkney was created and the geological make-up of the islands. For the 56, we wanted to continue this story and explore humanity’s fingerprint on the islands—the interaction between people and the land using natural materials and resources.

“The Standing Stones of Stenness, which are ancient and incredible, heavily influenced the design. The presentation case stands very proud, with its shape almost an abstract version of two of the standing stones.”

The result is a decanter and case that exudes craftsmanship, combining precision engineering with natural textures to honour Orkney’s legacy.

Where to Buy Highland Park 56

This ultra-rare whisky is now available at select whisky specialists, including The Whisky Shop and Berry Bros & Rudd, as well as luxury retailers like Harrods. With only 170 bottles in existence, this whisky is a collector’s dream and a celebration of Highland Park’s unwavering dedication to excellence. You can also register interest in purchasing a bottle on the Highland Park website.

Collecting Whisky with UKV International

Whether you’re a connoisseur, a collector, or simply a lover of fine whisky, the Highland Park 56-year-old is a testament to the artistry and heritage that define one of Orkney’s most iconic distilleries.

We have seen some aged single malt expressions released by distilleries in recent years. These include:

• Ballentine’s 40-year-old release in the Masterclass Collection
• Longmorn 30-year-old release is the oldest whisky for the distillery
• Hibiki 40-Year-Old marks 100th anniversary of House of Suntory
• The Glen Grant launch new collection with the Splendours Collection and a 65-Year-Old whisky

As more rare and fine whiskies are released, more collectors struggle to find whiskies that resonate with their taste. At UKV International AG, we help those seeking to add to their whisky collections.

We also develop their passion for whisky in other ways, with investments in cask whisky and arranging meetings with like-minded people.