Unique Highland Whisky Marries Nuclear Submarines with Heather

Launching new whiskies tied to eye-catching themes is hugely popular among distilleries. Think of Macallan’s Classic Cut series with a fresh release every year, or Bowmore’s collaboration with Aston Martin. There are plenty more examples. Highland Park has paired a whisky with a particularly striking theme: a nuclear submarine.

The Scottish distillery has released a whisky in partnership with The Royal Navy Submariners. It serves as a tribute to the Royal Navy. Commissioned by the Royal Navy, the distillery created an officially licensed whisky called “The Dolphins.” It was intended for sale in bars and shops at the Faslane base, the Royal Navy’s most important and strategically located base in Scotland.

Highland Park chose the name The Dolphins, a nod to the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class nuclear submarines.

The first release from the distillery series comprised 1,500 bottles and sold out in no time. You can recognize this edition by the straight sides of its black bottle. Crew members were immensely proud that their division had its “own” Highland Park whisky.

A second release followed swiftly in 2018, bottled in a more contoured bottle. This edition was intended for Highland Park’s Inner Circle members. Exact numbers were not disclosed, but the second release was—and still is—readily available. You’ll often spot a bottle on the secondary market.

Two further special editions have since appeared: one bearing the initials of the officer associated with the project’s inception (the red letters “DJ”), and another honoring the Royal Navy’s 50th anniversary. The latter was limited to just 960 bottles.

The appeal of these whiskies stems in part from those connected to, or who feel a connection with, the Royal Navy. On the other hand, Highland Park is known for crafting top-quality, unmistakable whisky. Expect a light yet richly layered single malt where notes of vanilla, banana, lemon peel, toasted oak, white pepper, and delicate, aromatic peat come together.

The use of sherry casks, both refill and first-fill, ensures that signature Highland Park character shines through.

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