Scapa 16 YO

Scapa 16 YO, 40 %

Scapa Distillery is 'the other' whisky distillery on Orkney, or 'the' Orcadian distillery as they call themselves. We recently visited the distillery during our stay in Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland. A full review of the visit is coming up shortly.

Today I am reviewing the one and only single malt expression currently being sold by the distillery; the Scapa 16 YO.

The Scapa 16 YO is available to buy in Norway at NOK 600 (item number 5139301), and in Sweden at SEK 599 (item number 8632501).

Nose (21/25): Soft and mild on the nose. Sweet and salty, with quite a bit of camphor. There's a hint of fruitiness (oranges?) and some malt.

Taste (21/25): Again quite light and soft. Salt and pepper. Caramel and vanilla. A hint of something floral perhaps.

Finish (21/25): Medium long finish, now reduced to being basically salty caramel notes.

Balance (21/25): An average dram, I would say. Not sure what I was expecting. This is an unpeated Orkney whisky, so as such I was not expecting any of the honey and soft peat from Highland Park - and I was right. It was a bit salty throughout, though, giving it a maritime feel. I was hoping for something a bit more memorable. I want this to be even better! Orkney needs two great distilleries, and if we could have a third one added with time that would be great.

Score (84/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas