If you travel to the remote, wind-swept Orkney Islands today, perhaps arriving via Stromness Harbour (pictured above), you will likely hear stories of two active whisky titans: Highland Park and Scapa. But look closer into the history books, and you will find the ghost of a third titan. This is the story of Old Orkney—often called "O.O." or "Double O"— a legendary brand born in the 19th century that became one of the most sought-after collector's items in the whisky world.
For fans of rare single malt Scotch, understanding the legacy of this historic whisky brand offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland's liquid past.
The Birth of Stromness and the "O.O." Label
The story begins in 1817 - though some records cite 1828, in the picturesque seaport town of Stromness. Men named John Crookshanks & Hector Munro founded the Stromness Distillery, capitalizing on the island's unique peat and pure water sources to establish a cornerstone of Orkney whisky history.
For its first few decades, the distillery changed hands frequently. The turning point came in 1878 when it was acquired by Roderick and Duncan MacPherson. They temporarily renamed the site the Man O'Hoy Distillery and launched a flagship product: Old Orkney Real Liqueur Whisky. Branded simply and memorably as "O.O.", it quickly earned a reputation across the UK as a smooth, premium, and highly distinctive Scotch whisky. They never succeeded in having the Old Orkney brand trademarked however, other whisky bottlers were also using the name to promote premium whisky.
A Victim of the Twenties: The Story of a Lost Distillery
By the early 20th century, Stromness Distillery was acquired by J. & J. McConnell. Unfortunately, the 1920s brought severe economic hardships to the Scotch industry, driven by global recessions and Prohibition in the United States.
Despite its stellar reputation, the distillery could not survive. Stromness stopped production in 1928 and was demolished soon after, cementing its status as one of Scotland's iconic silent distilleries. While the distillery was gone, remaining stocks of Old Orkney continued to be sold well into the 1930s, eventually transitioning into a blended whisky before disappearing from shelves entirely. For decades, finding an original bottle of "O.O." was a treasure hunt for whisky collectors.
The Rebirth of a Legend: Modern Whisky Revivals
True legends never die. While the original Stromness Distillery is long gone, the Old Orkney brand name has experienced a modern renaissance, highly celebrated in the independent bottler whisky community:
- The 1990s: Acclaimed independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail revived the Old Orkney name for a series of highly praised special releases.
- 2020 and Beyond: The independent bottler Decadent Drinks acquired the historic rights to the brand. They have since revived the "O.O." label, releasing modern, carefully curated single malt Scotch whisky batches that pay homage to the historic flavour profile of the Orkney Islands.
Old Orkney serves as a powerful reminder of Scotland's lost distilleries—proof that exceptional branding and a commitment to quality can echo across centuries.