Highland

The Highlands: two words which have undoubtedly come to represent, for other cultures, the passion and uniqueness of Scotland’s rich heritage. The Highlands, the largest Scotch whisky production region, successfully demonstrates a fine and diverse flavour balancing act.

Geographically, this region an enormous part of Scotland’s awe-inspiring terrain: from the northern most tip of John o’Groats to the River Clyde, where the Lowlands region begins; from the craggy west coast with its spine-tingling drives and sea lochs to the gentle slopes and continuous coastline of Aberdeenshire and Angus. Technically, Island and Speyside distilleries are also Highlanders; Islands distinguish themselves with their remoteness whereas Speysiders are unique for the sheer number of distilleries within a small area.

As diverse as the landscape, so is the body of breathtaking single malts, each with undisputed character, flavour, and personality. In the North, within two hours of one another are the distilleries of Pulteney, Clynelish, Balblair, and Dalmore. Each is unique and together, they exemplify the diverse character of the Highland spirit: from the meaty robustness of Pulteney to the complex treasure of Dalmore; from Clynelish’s waxy and fragrant spirit to the gentle delicacy of Balblair. A journey from east to west or north to south will discover a number of other styles and flavours that complement the varied Highland portfolio exemplified by Ardmore’s rich, dry smokiness counterpointed by the bold, dried fruitiness of Glenglassaugh.

The region is not without its long, lost Highlanders, many of which are now beginning to receive the attention they truly deserve. One of the lost gems is the increasingly scarce and highly sought after Brora spirit. Equally deserving of mention are the spicy and mysterious bottlings from Glen Mhor and Glenesk, the aromatic beauty of Banff, and the luscious, intensely tropical fruitiness of Lochside.

All Highland whiskies make a true feast for the senses, represented across all of our ranges. Delve into the operational distilleries more fully or revisit a bygone era in our ‘Rare Old’ range.