Scapa The Distillery Reserve Collection 12 Years Old 2008

A distillery bottling of Scapa, a 12 year old Orkney malt from 2008, drawn from cask 609 and bottled at 60.2%. A release of 888 bottles. Set by the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow, Scapa has distilled since 1885. For decades the malt fed the Ballantine's and Teacher's blends before its single malt fame.

Distilled on Lingro Burn water through its unusual Lomond still, building the gentle Orkney style it is loved for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper tropical note. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, creamy core over time. The malt long fed the Ballantine's and Teacher's blends before its own fame grew. It is one of the few distilleries still worked largely by hand. Founded in 1885, it is the second oldest distillery on Orkney after Highland Park. Island maturation by the sea lends a faint salt air to the honeyed spirit.

At a natural 60.2% it is full and oily. Creamy honey and ripe pear sit alongside honeyed oak sweetness underneath. A ripe melon and a gentle spice lift it. The close is gentle, honey over soft oak. This is the soft Orkney malt by Scapa Flow.