Highland Park has released its oldest and rarest single malt Scotch Whisky, Highland Park 56.
This whisky has been created from a never-before-tasted cask from the same line that has produced some of the distillery’s 'oldest, rarest and most exceptional whiskies'.
Design inspiration for the 56 year old whisky bottle comes from Orkney’s distinctive nature, culture and craft that has been evolving on the islands for thousands of years.
The Standing Stones of Stenness - a significant site of World Heritage status in Orkney – influenced the decanter and presentation case design, whilst Highland Park’s distinctive subtle smoke of the local heathery peat shines through the whisky.
Highland Park’s master whisky maker, Gordon Motion, said of the release: “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. The 56 has all the complexity and depth you’d expect of an aged whisky, but you can absolutely taste the distinctive, subtle smoke of our Orkney heathered peat which really makes this whisky remarkable.”
In 2008, during his first year as master whisky maker, Gordon identified ten exceptional casks from 1968 and saw the potential to create something special.
He decided to give the whisky a second maturation in first-fill sherry-seasoned casks resulting in even more depth of flavour.
These casks have gone on to produce some of the oldest and rarest whiskies from the distillery, including Highland Park 56 year old which comes from a never-before-tasted cask from this line.
Gordon Motion added: “Our rarest and oldest whiskies are the ultimate expression of Highland Park’s craft.
"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. It’s exciting to share the 56 for the first time.”
Highland Park 56 marks the second collaboration between master crafters, John Galvin and Michael Rudak to tell the story of the distillery’s Orkney home through the presentation of the whisky.
Master crafter, John Galvin explained: “Highland Park 54 was all about how Orkney was created and the geological make-up of the islands.
"What we wanted to do for the 56 was to continue this story and explore humanity’s fingerprint on the islands and that dynamic relationship with the land and the use of all the beautiful, natural materials and resources.
"When we visited the Standing Stones of Stenness which are ancient, incredible, and a real celebration of the craft of the people who created them thousands of years ago, this heavily influenced the design.
"I pulled through elements and textures created with the 54 to create harmony and I designed the presentation case to stand very proud, the shape is almost an abstract version of two of the standing stones. I used an equal combination of precision engineering and craft to create the presentation case to respect that interaction between human and nature.”
The Standing Stones of Stenness were created over 5,000 years ago and thought to be the earliest henge monument on the British Isles.
Michael Rudak, glass designer, spoke of his inspiration: “If the 54 was the first stage of our story, then the 56 is about evolution.
"So, we focused on how people began to touch and shape the land. It's interesting with the standing stones, their stature encourages and inspires you to walk around them, exploring their texture and history.
"We brought that sentiment through into the decanter design. The silhouette isn’t a direct replica, but the feeling is the same. The form is purposely designed to look strong and proud, but it has been softened and dimpled to represent warmth and elegance.
"The organic irregular textures evoke the powerful water that’s helped shape Orkney’s natural landscape and resources, whilst becoming an abstract representation of humanity’s’ fingerprint.
“For me the most interesting part is the almost everlasting nature of stone. Because of this, the Standing Stones of Stenness are one of, if not the most prominent fingerprint on the islands. I felt that the story of Orkney’s growth led us there.”
Only 170 bottles of Highland Park 56 have been created, with limited bottles of Highland Park 56 year old are available through select whisky specialists such as The Whisky Shop and Berry Brothers & Rudd, and luxury retailers including Harrods. You can buy a bottle, priced at £40,000, here.
