The most northerly of whiskies is Orcadian. That is to say that they are distilled in the Orkneys, a group of islands that were for 500 years ruled by Norway and Denmark and remain strangers to Gaelic culture, though they passed to Scotland in 1468.

There are 65 islands in the Orkneys, 30 of them inhabited. The principal island is known to Orcadians as "the mainland", and its capital is the small town of Kirkwall. This is where the Orkney's two distilleries Highland Park and Scapa are situated, producing whiskies with heathery tones and a flowery-spicy character.

HIGHLAND PARK             12 Years Old             40%

Close to Kirkwall, lies the ancient distillery of Highland Park founded in 1795. Aged in sherry butts, the whisky has a most distinctive aroma of peat smoke and heather-honey. Smooth and lingering, it makes an excellent after-dinner dram.

SCAPA 198540%

Available as single malt only under the Gordon & MacPhail label, Scapa is a delight­ful aromatic whisky, with a clean, light palate. It is aged in Bourbon casks. Recommended for after dinner