Category Archives: Scapa
Scapa 14yo
Whisky: Scapa 14, 40% ABV, 100cl
+R550 ≈ £48
Scapa is the 2nd northern most distillery in Scotland from the islands of Orkney. (The northern most is Highland Park) This expression was released in 2004, to replace the 12yo. In 2008 however, a 16yo was launched to replace this 14yo. This one is from Jo’burg airport’s duty-free; haven’t seen any bottles in local stores. If you see this one or the 12yo, it may be worth buying and keeping just to hold onto for a while.
Nose: Lovely notes of delicate oak with a drizzle of honey. Buttery biscuits, shortbread. The tiniest sprinkle of salt.
Taste: Cool and crisp on the palette, although lacking in flavour. Some fruitiness, but rather like canned fruit cocktail without the syrup.
Finish: Hot and long.
My Score: 75/100
Doing some reading online, it appears there is some variation in the 14yo bottlings. I would guess this is an older one, circa 2005? (Also knowing how slowly some whisky can sell in SA, it seems to fit. Anyone know if there is a way to tell from the bottle?) Overall, a nice and easy dram, but unfortunately it doesn’t stand out in the crowd.
Other Scores: JH 75, JM’09 88
