Brand
Highland Queen
Highland Queen is a historic Scotch whisky brand (blended) created in 1893. Today it is produced as the official blend associated with the Tullibardine brand's production and is part of the portfolio managed by Terroirs Distillers / Picard Vins & Spiritueux.
- Blackford (Perthshire) · Highlands / Perthshire (production link); origins Leith (Edinburgh) · Scotland, United Kingdom
- Since 1893
- 1 product
The story
The Highland Queen blend was created in 1893 by Roderick Macdonald (Macdonald & Muir) and is inspired by the figure of Mary, Queen of Scots, linked to the port of Leith. During the 20th century the brand established itself on international markets; ownership changed over time (including periods associated with Glenmorangie) until acquisition by the French group Picard Vins & Spiritueux in 2008. Today the brand is managed and marketed through the subsidiary Terroirs Distillers and blending/bottling is connected to the availability of malts from the Tullibardine estate in Perthshire.
Production philosophy
Built on a long historical legacy, Highland Queen positions itself as a blended Scotch brand that combines accessibility with a selection of aged expressions and distinctive finishes, focusing on blend consistency and the valorisation of associated malts (including contributions from Tullibardine).
Territory
Origin historically linked to the port of Leith (Scotland); current production/assembly connected to the Highlands/Perthshire region (Tullibardine) and to commercial management in Europe via Terroirs Distillers (Picard group).
Production method
Produced as a blended Scotch: the assembly of malt and grain whiskies; some expressions and product sheets indicate the use of copper pot stills for the malt components and maturation in oak casks. The modern blend leverages raw materials and storage/bottling capacity linked to the owning group.
Distillation
Copper pot stills for the malt components (double distillation reported in commercial product sheets for some expressions); blending of malt and grain whiskies for the blend.
Ageing
Aging in oak casks; some expressions feature a finish in Sherry casks or other types of wood finish.
Characteristics
- Type
- Brand
- City
- Blackford (Perthshire)
- Categories
- whisky
- blended scotch
- single malt (range 'Majesty')
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- water
- yeast
- Casks and ageing vessels
- oak casks
- casks with Sherry finish
- Representative products
- Highland Queen 8 Years Oak Casks 70cl
- Highland Queen 12 Years
- Highland Queen 1561
- Highland Queen Majesty (single malt range)
What makes it distinctive
- Brand created in 1893 by Roderick Macdonald (Macdonald & Muir).
- Historic blend inspired by Mary, Queen of Scots (association with the port of Leith).
- Currently part of the portfolio managed by Terroirs Distillers / Picard Vins & Spiritueux.
- Official blend linked to Tullibardine (Highlands / Perthshire).
- Range includes aged expressions (e.g. 8 and 12 years) and a 'Majesty' single malt line.