Scapa 10 Year Old

Founded in 1885, Scapa is a fascinating distillery based on the Orkney Islands, but always different in style to neighbours Highland Park. It was mothballed and then had intermittent production from the mid 90s into the 21st century, which contributed to a decade-long wait for the return of age statement releases. Thankfully, at the end of 2024 new 10, 16, and 21 year olds emerged.

The reborn range is all American oak barrel matured, bright, luscious, and tropical in tone, leaning into the Scapa’s historic long fermentations, juicy new make spirit, and fruity character. Uniquely, the wash still (for the first distillation) is an old Lomond still installed in 1959 – the only one of its kind used for whisky making today. Made to be adjustable, here all the extra plates are removed from the wide straight neck, and a purifier increases copper contact on the way to the condenser.