Distillery

Scapa whiskies

Scapa is one of the two distilleries in Kirkwall, in the Orkney Islands, in the north of Scotland, by the bay of Scapa Flow, famous for its role as a naval base in both world wars. It belongs to Pernod Ricard. Unlike its neighbour Highland Park, it uses no peat, and its style is fruity, honeyed and with a briny touch. It is one of the group’s smallest distilleries and its malt is little known.

Founded
1885
Owner
Pernod Ricard
Origin
Islands, Scotland
In the catalogue
2 whiskies

History, style and where to startSee it on the world mapScapa official website

  • Scapa distillery, photo 1 of 3
    Photo: Lakeworther · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons (cropped and converted)
  • Scapa distillery, photo 2 of 3
    Photo: Alan Jamieson · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons (cropped and converted)
  • Scapa distillery, photo 3 of 3
    Photo: Derek Mayes · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons (cropped and converted)

2 whiskies

Guide to Scapa

History

The distillery was founded in the 1880s on the shore of Scapa Flow. During the First World War the bay was the base of the British fleet, and the distillery served as accommodation for troops; at the end of the war, the German fleet was deliberately scuttled there. In the 20th century it changed owner several times and had long periods of inactivity, and in the 2000s it was completely refurbished within the Pernod Ricard group. Today it produces a malt of its own and has a small visitor centre.

House style

Scapa uses an unusual Lomond-type wash still, which gives a fruity spirit with some body. The style combines honey, tropical fruit, pear, vanilla, heather and a briny island touch. It matures mainly in first-fill bourbon casks, which add sweetness. It uses no peat. It is a smooth, rounded, medium-bodied whisky, with a sweet and slightly briny finish.

Average flavour profile of its 2 whiskies in the catalogue

Sweet
2.8
Fresh fruit
3.0
Ripe and dried fruit
0.5
Floral and herbal
1.5
Cereal and malt
1.5
Vanilla and creamy
2.3
Oak
1.0
Spicy
1.0
Toasted
1.0
Smoky
1.0
Maritime
1.0
Body and intensity
1.8

Where to start

Scapa Skiren is the catalogue’s expression: honeyed, fruity and with a briny touch. You’ll like it if you are after an island malt without smoke. It is a good way to compare with Highland Park, its neighbour, to see how different two distilleries in the same town can be. It is hard to find, so it is worth it if you see it. Drink it neat or with a few drops of water.

This text was generated and translated by AI and may contain errors. Founding year, owner and official website come partly from Wikidata.

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