Highland Park 27 Year Old 1970s / Fortnum and Mason

Highland Park was built by David Robertson all the way back in 1798. The distillery's relationship with blenders, Robertson & Baxter, saw it acquired by Highland Distillers in 1937, who were subsequently bought by Edrington in 1999, who run it today. The modern Highland Park single malt brand was first officially bottled in the 1970s, with the release of an 8 year old age statement, but distillery bottlings first appeared around the 1950s. The look of the brand has changed many times over the years, but its cult following and popularity has never diminished. It remains one of the most recognisable single malts in the world to this day.

Presented in a 'dumpy' bottle style, this is one of two very rare early releases.

This particular example was produced for high-end British department store, Fortnum and Mason. The second was a 12 year old age-statement for the German market. 

Fortnum & Mason was founded in London’s St James Market in 1707. It was established by William Fortnum who was a footman in the royal household of Queen Anne. The household insisted on lighting new candles each night which put William in the position of being able to resell partially used candles to the public. He teamed up with his then landlord Hugh Mason and together they opened their first store. As the company grew, they became known for providing the highest quality of food and drink. They also catered for British officers fighting overseas during the Napoleonic Wars and they also supplied Florence Nightingale's hospitals in the Crimean War. Today the company has five store locations which is ran from their headquarters in London’s Piccadilly. 

Highland Distillers bottled several Highland Park releases in this style, as well as some Tamdhu using a very similar aesthetic. This bottle shape would later become the hallmark of their new Bunnahabhain single malt brand.