Scapa Distillery

 Scapa Distillery, Orkney

Scapa Distillery, Orkney, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Scapa Distillery, Orkney, Scotland. .

Scapa has had a long an chequered history since its founding in 1885 by Messrs Macfarlane & Townsend. Since the the distillery has undergone three ownership changes, liquidation, modernisation, refurbishment and mothballing. Scapa is currently owned by Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard). Production capacity is 1.5 million litres per annum most of which finds its way into blends such as Teachers and Ballantine’s.

Key aspects of the Scapa distillation process:

  • A semi-lauter mash tun and eight washbacks.
  • At 160 hours, Scapa has the longest fermentation period of any distillery in Scotland.
  • Lomond type wash still.
  • Uses ex-Bourbon casks for maturation.

The whisky from Scapa is heavy but not peated. The is a limited volume of single malts on the market, from the distillery and independent bottlers. The key single malt product is the Scapa Skiren which is matured in first fill American oak casks and produces plenty of vanilla and honey notes.

Tours of the distillery are available.

A very distinctive whisky and very much differentiated from its neighbour, Highland Park.

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