Highland Park Shiel

This unique release embodies Highland Park's dedication to foundational craftsmanship through the rare use of 100% traditionally hand-turned malt.

At-a-Glance

This technical release, the second instalment in the highly focused Keystones Series, is an official bottling from the Highland Park Distillery. The series aims to isolate and celebrate the five unique elements of the Orkney production process. Shiel is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Islands region. It is presented as a Non-Age Statement (NAS) product, focusing instead on the specificity of its barley sourcing and preparation.

Historical Context

Highland Park, established in 1798 by David Robertson on the outskirts of Kirkwall, Orkney, is renowned for its specific geographic and procedural attributes. The introduction of The Keystones Series by owner Edrington was a strategic initiative designed to celebrate the distinct elements of its traditional production, elevating the brand's perception in the ultra-premium NAS segment. The Shiel, meaning 'wooden shovel', is a tribute to the distillery's continued use of floor maltings, a labour-intensive process now rare in Scotland.

The significance of the Shiel lies in its direct link to one of these foundational processes: Hand-Turned Floor Maltings. The barley used is hand-turned every eight hours for six days to achieve a perfect 5% moisture content, necessary for optimal absorption of the intense aromatic smoke from Hobbister Moor peat. Crucially, the Shiel deviates from the standard Highland Park recipe, which typically uses only around 20% of this manually processed malt. For this limited expression, the producer committed to using 100% hand-turned malt.

This commitment to traditional methodology directly necessitated the extreme limitation of the release. Because the distillery’s floor maltings capacity is inherently small and manual, producing a batch entirely from this source severely constrained the final volume, resulting in an outturn of only 1,200 bottles. This technical constraint explains the scarcity and provides the central justification for the premium market placement of the whisky.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

The technical specification of the Highland Park Shiel is defined by the unique malt composition and the selected bottling strength. The maturation is guided by the broader Highland Park practice of contrasting cask types and the essential use of Sherry Oak Casks.

The decision to bottle at 48.1% ABV is noteworthy. This non-standard strength is often employed for specialist releases to maximise flavour concentration and texture, ensuring that the profile derived from the 100% hand-turned malt is delivered effectively. The spirit is presented in 70cl bottles.

Documented variants

No documented ABV, volume, or market variants have been reported for this single-batch series entry.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

The Highland Park Shiel is a modern collector’s item, meaning the value is highly dependent on complete preservation of the presentation materials. Authentication requires verification of the 'Part Two' designation visible on the label and presentation carton. Given the specific 1,200-bottle outturn, the presence of the original presentation box in mint condition is mandatory for realising its full secondary market valuation. Buyers must also inspect the capsule integrity to confirm that the bottle has remained sealed since leaving the distillery. Verification of the label strength (48.1% vol.) is essential.

Regulatory/terminology notes

Highland Park officially defines its use of Sherry Oak Casks as a method for achieving "rich flavour and natural colour". This confirms that the Shiel release is presented with its genuine colour, without the addition of spirit caramel (E150a). While the producer has not explicitly confirmed the Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) status, the non-standard bottling strength of 48.1% is technically above the common chill-filtration threshold (46% ABV), suggesting the intent was to preserve natural oils and complexity.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The flavour profile of the Shiel is closely linked to its unique malt composition, focusing on the character delivered by the Hobbister Moor peat.

Nose: The aroma is described as unashamedly smoky, featuring distinct notes of camphor and eucalyptus. This intensity is tempered by softer, more delicate elements of violets and vanilla. One general account characterises the nose as a refreshing aroma.

Palate: The taste offers a dry peatiness, complemented by notes of pencil shavings and light vanilla. The palate is also broadly described as an "explosion of flavors", suggesting significant intensity and complexity derived from the unique malt bill.

Finish: The conclusion is marked by a dry and lingering peatiness, leading to a finish that is reported as rich and smooth.

With water: Tasting notes specifically detailing the addition of water are Not stated by the producer.

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Highland Park Distillery, based in Kirkwall, Orkney, is strategically important to the Edrington portfolio. The distillery is globally respected for its distinctive house style, which integrates the rich influence of sherry maturation with a unique, aromatic peat sourced from Hobbister Moor. The continuous focus on traditional production methods, such as its surviving floor maltings, reinforces its artisanal credentials.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras: Only pristine condition 70cl 48.1% bottles are sought, complete with the original Keystones Series presentation packaging.

Red flags to avoid: Bottles missing the original box significantly diminish value. Any visible damage to the capsule, or divergence from the verified 48.1% ABV, must be avoided.

Condition thresholds: Pristine, mint condition of both the liquid and the presentation box is an absolute requirement for full valuation.

Margin/velocity expectations: The limited outturn of 1,200 bottles ensures high velocity in the collector market. Strong margins are achievable by leveraging the validated rarity and perfect condition of the unit.