Highland Park’s “Between You and I”, crafted in partnership with 3-star Michelin chef Björn Frantzén, invites whisky lovers to explore flavour through personal memories and emotions instead of traditional tasting notes.
In the remote Orkney Islands, where rugged landscapes meet ancient Norse heritage, Highland Park distillery has been crafting whisky since 1798. Now, this storied distillery has teamed with three-Michelin-starred Swedish chef Björn Frantzén to forge a new path in whisky tasting with “Between You and I,” a 16-year-old single malt crafted as much to evoke memories and emotion as to delight the palate.
Marginalising traditional tasting notes, this collaboration invites drinkers instead to embark on a personal sensory journey inspired by the whisky’s complex layers. Frantzén, globally celebrated for his innovative culinary artistry, responded to the whisky instinctively—sharing the vivid memories and feelings it stirred within him.
For Frantzén, “Between You and I” is a conversation between flavours, memories, and places. The bright citrus of zested orange awakened images of his grandmother’s kitchen at Christmas, the warmth of a fire fading in a snowy forest, and the soft, tropical breezes of a Caribbean beach. It tasted like analogue rock music, handcrafted and resonant.
This personal experience extends to the packaging: a bold box design layered with spray paint, evoking graffiti art—a medium dear to Frantzén’s younger self. The warm orange represents the glow of fire, contrasting with cool blue tones that symbolise water, and the heather peat smoke so distinctive of Orkney whisky. Inside, a booklet replaces tasting notes, prompting owners to explore and share their own impressions and stories.
The whisky itself is a rich tapestry, matured 16 years in unique casks including virgin Swedish oak—a first for Highland Park—alongside sherry-seasoned and ex-bourbon casks. This rare wood imparts bold, spicy nuances that mingle with the distillery’s signature sweet peat smoke, offering a complex yet smooth dram.
Paul Condron, Highland Park’s Brand Director, praised the release: “‘Between You and I’ invites intimate conversations, where no two people will taste the same thing. It’s a fresh, emotional way to experience whisky, sparking connections through shared stories.”
The expression is part of a broader trend at Highland Park, which embraced a refreshed, understated brand aesthetic in 2025, shifting away from Viking iconography toward celebration of its Orkney roots and craftsmanship. Amid significant sustainability initiatives and new leadership, the distillery underscores its commitment to quality and authenticity.
Björn Frantzén is no stranger to innovation himself, having earned a unique place in culinary history as the only chef with three Michelin stars simultaneously across three restaurants. His Nordic-kaiseki style, blending Nordic ingredients with Japanese philosophy, parallels Highland Park’s blend of tradition and creativity.
“Taste is deeply personal,” Frantzén reflects, “and whisky like ‘Between You and I’ unlocks memories and emotions uniquely for each person. I invite you to discover what it awakens in you.”
“Between You and I” – Where and How?
“Between You and I” will be available in the UK from today, retailing at around £145, with a companion book, “Between You and I: Journeys,” launching exclusively in global travel retail at £155. Both expressions mark bold, fresh chapters in Highland Park’s distinguished story—one that asks, not what whisky tastes like, but what it means to you.
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