Scapa 12 Years Old 2003

Founded in 1885, Scapa remains a bit of an enigma today. Overshadowed by the nearby presence of Highland Park on Orkney, the distillery is owned by Pernod Ricard who purchased the distillery in 2005. Prior to this, Scapa had experienced a chequered history, being mothballed in 1994 and relying on Highland Park staff to maintain the production equipment. Despite such false starts Scapa is widely appreciated by those who fondly recall some classic incarnations. Nowadays we have an expanded core range that includes the Glansa (finished in peated casks) and the No Age Statement Skiren. Pernod have an almost monopoly on releasing this distillery as it hasn’t been available via the independent bottlers for many years now; the only exception being Gordon & MacPhail. A visit to a Chivas distillery will reveal some entries in the Distillery Reserve Collection and these are well worth picking up to experience a lovely style of whisky.