Highland Park 15 Year 750ML

Highland Park 15 Year 750ML is a 15-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from Orkney, Scotland, bottled at 44% ABV (88 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Double Gold medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, reinforcing its reputation as a standout sherried malt from Scotland's most northerly distillery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 44%  |  Origin: Orkney Islands, Scotland  |  15 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Highland Park (est. 1798)

Production & Heritage

Highland Park has operated since 1798 on the windswept Orkney Islands, just west of Kirkwall — technically not part of the Scottish Highlands despite the distillery's name. The 15 Year is made from 100% malted barley, fermented for approximately 60 hours, and matured exclusively in sherry-seasoned casks — a mix of first-fill American oak, first-fill European oak, and refill casks. Notably, Highland Park uses no bourbon barrels whatsoever across its range. The deliberate use of predominantly American oak sherry casks in the 15 Year distinguishes it from the Highland Park 12 and 18, which lean more heavily on Spanish oak, giving this expression a brighter citrus character alongside the distillery's signature heathered peat smoke.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Crème brûlée and heather honey arrive first, followed by crumbled cinnamon and a wave of fresh pineapple. Underneath, gentle wisps of heathered peat smoke and lemon zest add complexity without heaviness.

Taste: The palate opens with honey-glazed pineapple and vanilla bean, moving into toasted cinnamon and citrus — more lime than orange — at mid-palate. Dry sherry and light oak tones develop as the sweetness recedes, giving way to a subtle undercurrent of peat smoke. Later sips reveal candied boiled sweets, green apple, and traces of fresh cookie dough.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish carries sweet vanilla and dry sherry before a pleasant saltiness emerges at the very end. A lingering sherry aftertaste and faint peat warmth close out each sip cleanly.

How to Drink Highland Park 15

At 44% ABV, this single malt drinks well neat or with a few drops of water to coax out the citrus and honey notes. A single large ice cube opens the sherry-driven sweetness without muting the peat. For cocktails, try it in a Rob Roy, where the sherry influence mirrors the sweet vermouth beautifully; a Blood and Sand, where the pineapple and citrus notes harmonize with orange juice and Cherry Heering; or a Penicillin, where the light peat smoke adds depth without overpowering the ginger and honey syrup.

Best For

• Gifting a Scotch enthusiast who appreciates sherried malts without heavy peat
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Expanding a single malt collection beyond Speyside and Islay expressions
• Hosting a whisky tasting focused on cask influence and regional character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Highland Park 15 taste like? Highland Park 15 delivers honey-glazed pineapple, vanilla, and toasted cinnamon supported by dry sherry and a gentle layer of heathered peat smoke. The overall impression is fruity and sweet with a savory, lightly smoky backbone.

How does Highland Park 15 compare to GlenDronach 12? Both are sherried single malts, but Highland Park 15 carries a distinctive light peat smoke and citrus brightness from its Orkney origin and American oak sherry casks. GlenDronach 12 leans into richer dried fruit and toffee from its Speyside character and heavy sherry maturation, without any peat influence.

Is Highland Park 15 good for sipping neat? Yes — the 44% ABV provides enough body and intensity for neat sipping without being overly aggressive, and the balance of sherry sweetness, citrus, and peat makes it engaging on its own.

Where is Highland Park 15 made? Highland Park 15 is distilled at the Highland Park Distillery on the Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of mainland Scotland, making it Scotland's most northerly Scotch whisky distillery.

What foods pair well with Highland Park 15? Smoked salmon highlights the whisky's subtle peat and salinity. Aged cheddar or Manchego complement the sherry-driven sweetness. Crème brûlée echoes the caramelized sugar and vanilla notes. Grilled pineapple mirrors the tropical fruit character. Dark chocolate with sea salt plays off the honeyed sweetness and briny finish.

What sizes does Highland Park 15 come in? Highland Park 15 Year is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Highland Park 15 worth the price? Highland Park 15 positions as a mid-premium single malt, sitting between the widely available 12 Year and the prestige 18 Year in the core range. Its 2024 Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and exclusive sherry cask maturation represent strong value within the 15-year-old single malt category.

Why Highland Park 15?

What sets this expression apart within the Highland Park range is its deliberate shift toward American oak sherry casks, producing a noticeably brighter, more citrus-forward profile than the Spanish oak-driven 12 and 18 Year bottlings. The distillery's commitment to using only sherry-seasoned casks — never bourbon barrels — is increasingly rare in the Scotch industry and gives every Highland Park expression a distinct richness. The 2024 Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirms that this 15-year-old bottling stands on its own merits rather than simply bridging the gap between its younger and older siblings. For drinkers who want sherried complexity with Orkney's signature heathered peat and maritime salinity, this is one of the most coherent expressions in its age bracket.