Scapa 9 Years Old 1988 Cask #169 – 171 (Signatory)

This is a Scapa single malt, chosen and bottled by Signatory Vintage, a 9 year old Orkney malt from 1988, drawn from cask 169 - 171 and bottled at 43%. Scapa was first built in 1885 overlooking Scapa Flow near Kirkwall, and it is the gentle, unpeated face of Orkney whisky. A long fermentation of up to seventy hours draws out the fruity esters at its heart.

Distilled through a rare Lomond wash still and an onion spirit still, with heavy copper contact, giving the oily, fruit driven spirit at its heart. Maturation came in American oak, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Younger here, it keeps a clean, fruity freshness over soft vanilla. Heavy copper contact in the Lomond still strips harsher notes, leaving a clean, oily and fruity spirit. The distillery looks out over Scapa Flow, the great anchorage of two world wars. Water from the Lingro Burn is piped to keep the spirit clear of peat.

At 43% it is supple and fruity. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla runs under orchard fruit and salt air. Soft orchard fruit and vanilla sit behind the sweetness. It finishes clean, honeyed and soft. This is a honeyed malt from the shore of Scapa Flow.