Scapa Distillery — Islands Single Malt Whisky

Scapa Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located on the shore of Scapa Flow near Kirkwall, on the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. It was founded in 1885 and is currently owned by Chivas Brothers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Scapa is known for a lighter, honeyed, less peaty house style than its Orkney neighbour Highland Park, produced historically using an unusual Lomond wash still.

History

Scapa Distillery was established in 1885 by the Glasgow blending firm Macfarlane & Townsend, taking its name from the nearby Scapa Flow, the great natural harbour that would later shelter the British Grand Fleet during both World Wars. The distillery was nearly destroyed by fire in 1919 and, according to local tradition, was saved when sailors from the Grand Fleet still stationed nearby formed a human chain to fight the blaze.

Ownership passed through several hands over the 20th century, most significantly to Hiram Walker & Sons in 1954, which refurbished the site in 1978. When Hiram Walker was acquired by Allied Distillers in 1987, Scapa came under Allied's control. The distillery installed one of the few Lomond stills ever used for wash distillation, a rectifying-column-style pot still that contributed to Scapa's distinctive light, fruity, honeyed character; the still's internal plates were later removed, leaving it to function as a conventional still.

Scapa was mothballed in 1994 amid a downturn in the whisky industry, with only very limited production kept alive from 1997 using staff seconded from nearby Highland Park. Following Pernod Ricard's acquisition of Allied Distillers in 2005, the company invested around £2.1 million to rebuild and modernise Scapa, and full production resumed in October 2005. A dedicated visitor centre opened at the distillery in 2015, and Scapa continues to operate today as part of the Chivas Brothers portfolio, producing single malt for its own core range as well as for blends.

Quick Facts

• Region: Islands (Orkney)
• Founded: 1885
• Owner: Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard)
• Status: Active
• Stills: 1 wash still (former Lomond-type still), 1 spirit still

Core Range

Scapa's core range centres on two no-age-statement single malts. Scapa Skiren (40% ABV) is matured in first-fill American oak casks, giving a smooth, honeyed, orchard-fruit character typical of the house style. Scapa Glansa (40% ABV), launched in 2016, introduces a gentle peat-smoke element, finished in a combination of ex-bourbon and heavily charred oak casks to add a light smoky sweetness to the classic Scapa profile.