Highland Park reveals redesign

Edrington-owned Orkney distillery Highland Park has unveiled new packaging for its core range of single malts.

Inspired by the natural beauty and creative spirit of its home in Orkney, the reinterpreted design marks a new era for Highland Park.

Highland Park was founded 226 years ago in Orkney, an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Scotland, surrounded by a rugged coastline.

The warming waters of the Gulf Stream create a temperate climate are are believed to be ideal for the long ageing of whisky.

Orkney’s windy weather makes it a challenge for trees to grow, meaning the island's peat is infused with floral heather rather than woody roots. The peat is used to create a whisky with a subtle hint of aromatic smoke.

Gordon Motion, master whisky maker of Highland Park, said: “Our 12-, 15- and 18-year-old whiskies sit as the heart and soul of Highland Park. It’s Orkney’s heathered peat that gives us our subtly smoky flavour and it’s as unique as the place it’s made. We know that’s what our community really love about Highland Park.

"With the packaging update, we have a great opportunity to celebrate a new look, whilst continuing to share the distinctive, consistent whisky we’re famed for. It’s a flavour that just can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.”

Designed by global creative agency D8 Studio, the new packaging pays tribute to Orkney’s 'ethereal light and invigorating climate' in its bright and contemporary colour palette. It also nods to Highland Park’s flavour with heather-flecked labels bearing the updated logo. The brand’s dedication to craft and creativity is celebrated in a subtle wood-grain pattern inspired by its use of Sherry-seasoned oak casks, while its distinctive glass bottle shape has been updated to allow the natural colour of the whisky to shine through. Further celebrating the whisky’s provenance, a 'product of Orkney' icon has been cut into the glass.  Paul Condron, global brand ambassador of Highland Park, said the new look "reflects the freshness and modernity of our Orkney home". Highland Park is also launching new packaging across its global travel retail-exclusive editions of 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old whiskies. To showcase its commitment to sustainability, the redesign will see the new bottles contained within 100% recyclable cardboard cartons made from FSC-certified forests. The new packaging will be available on the distillery's website and at the Highland Park store in Kirkwall, Orkney, as well as at select retailers, including Harvey Nichols, Waitrose, and The Whisky Shop, starting in October. Highland Park 12-year-old has an RRP of £46 (US$60), the 15-year-old can be purchased for £95 (US$124), and the 18-year-old is priced at £140 (US$182). Last month, Edrington sold The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt blended whiskies to William Grant & Sons. Edrington saw revenue rise by 11% in the year to 31 March 2024, led by double-digit gains for The Macallan.