Scapa Chivas Brothers – Cask Strength Edition 20 Years Old 1993

A distillery bottling of Scapa, a 20 year old Orkney malt from 1993, drawn from cask Batch SC 20 007 and bottled at 58.6%. Set on Orkney, looking out over Scapa Flow, Scapa has distilled since 1885. 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. Maturation came in American oak, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. At this age it is rich and rounded, the fruit folded into a honeyed, waxy body. Maturation on Orkney, by the sea, gives a clean, maritime lift. 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.

At a hearty 58.6% it carries real weight. Vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel, with pear, banana and a gentle spice. The texture is creamy and oily, the fruit lifted by honey. A warming, honeyed finish lingers. This is a creamy, unpeated Orkney single malt.