Scapa 11 Years Old 2005 Licensed Bottling (G&M)

Single malt Scapa, an independent Gordon & MacPhail bottling matured to 11 year old from 2005 and bottled at 43%. Established in 1885 on the Orkney coast a mile from Highland Park, Scapa is Orkney's unpeated island malt. Scapa is one of the few distilleries still worked largely by hand.

It was drawn off a wide necked Lomond still that lends a creamy, oily weight, for a honeyed, tropical spirit with a maritime edge. First fill American oak held it, layering vanilla and honey over the fruit. At this age the spirit is fresh and creamy, the orchard fruit and honey bright. The oily texture from the Lomond still carries cask flavour beautifully. Water from the Lingro Burn is piped to keep the spirit clear of peat. A long fermentation of up to seventy hours coaxes out the fruity esters. Mothballed in 1994, Scapa was restored and revived by Pernod Ricard in 2005. The malt long fed the Ballantine's and Teacher's blends before its own fame grew.

Reduced to 43%, it is mellow. A gentle vanilla and coconut from the wood runs under tropical fruit and a soft spice. It is smooth and deep, the fruit and honey well matched. The finish runs soft, fruity and warm. This is a fruity, honeyed Orkney whisky.