Scapa 22 Years Old 1991 Cask #1211 (Mackillop’s Choice)

Bottled by Mackillop's Choice, this Scapa, a 22 year old from 1991, drawn from cask 1211 and bottled at 57.1%. Scapa was opened in 1885 by two Glasgow blenders on Orkney, looking out over Scapa Flow; Pernod Ricard has run it since 2005. Its wash still is a rare Lomond still, the plates long removed, giving a creamy, oily spirit through heavy copper contact.

The spirit was made on a rare Lomond wash still for an oily, full bodied spirit, for a creamy, fruity make of real depth. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the fruit lead. Beyond eighteen years the malt grows oily and waxy, tropical fruit and honey over a soft sea air. The creamy new make takes American oak particularly well. The Lomond still is the only one of its kind still making Scotch whisky. Orkney's history runs back seven thousand years, from Neolithic times to Norse rule. The creamy, fruit forward style sets Scapa apart from its smoky island neighbours.

At its natural 57.1% it is concentrated and honeyed. Vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel, with pear, banana and a gentle spice. It is soft and rounded, the honeyed spirit shining through. The close is gentle, honey over soft oak. This is a creamy, unpeated Orkney single malt.