Scapa 10 Years

Scapa on the rise with a new core range

Scapa is the other distillery on Orkney and that can be a blessing and a curse. If you happen to be a whisky enthusiast, you know where the Orkney Islands are located, because of that other distillery. The famous one. It also means that Scapa will always stand in the shadow of that one. Things are moving though, on Orkney, since the Highland Park Distillery recently changed colours on the packaging. The Viking content is dialled down a bit, and the new expressions look more modest and sharp. Scapa Distillery has been quietly lurking in the background for many years, but now gets an overhaul with a new livery. We taste the new flagship that comes with an age statement (hurray!) and a significant increase in abv (double hurray!).

Scapa 10 years old, bottled at 48 % abv

First things first: Matured in American White Oak and bottled at an excellent 48 % abv as part of the Signature Series. Beautiful new bottle, like a decanter, even though the previous incarnation had an attractive design too. Still, it looks like Scapa finally got some much needed TLC for their output. If the whisky itself keeps up, we are in for fun! 

Upon Sipping: Quite a nice whiff of sea air combined with a rather waxy profile. It is hard to detect one aroma that stands out. It is really a combination of many facets. I pick up some tangerines that remind me of a Springbank 10 years old. Not a bad comparison eh? Some pencil shavings emerge but nothing over the top, mixed with a nice hint of vanilla. Not the most complex nose at first, but when you let it sit in the glass for a while, it does start to shine more and more. Borrowing a page out of the Clynelish book, there is certainly also a layer of waxes to be found in there. This trickles down to the palate too, rather waxy, very sweet, and excellent wood spices. For sure you will find a maritime link with this Scapa. There is also a very sweetened side, with the vanilla being a subtle player for other fruity elements like green apples and pear flavours. The spicy finish will linger for a long time after you emptied the glass.

Word to the Wise: Certainly an island single malt whisky, that borrows some pages out of the books of East and West Coast Highland malts, like Clynelish, Ardnamurchan and Springbank. I am very satisfied to see Scapa emerge with a very outspoken character. Clean stuff here, for purists, and probably an excellent starting point to explore the rest of the range.

Score: 82 points.