Scapa

Founded in 1885 by Macfarlane & Townsend, Scapa survived fire and multiple closures, and in the 1990s was kept alive only thanks to neighbourly help from Highland Park staff. It was only in 2024 that this Orkney distillery, living in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Highland Park, received its very first permanent range, spanning three age statements, since its founding in 1885.

Scapa stands for a style unusually refined for Orkney, barely peated, with pronounced fruit and vanilla notes. From the Scapa 10 Year Old to the more mature 21 Year Old, you will find the right bottle for every occasion in our selection.

How did Scapa survive thanks to its larger neighbour?

Macfarlane & Townsend of Glasgow built Scapa in 1885 on the site of a former mill on the shore of Scapa Flow. In 1919, a human chain of sailors from the remaining Grand Fleet saved the distillery from a major fire using buckets of seawater. In 1954, Hiram Walker & Sons bought the distillery and, among other changes, installed a so-called Lomond still – Scapa remains the only malt distillery still using this type of still today, albeit without its originally adjustable copper plates. After being mothballed in 1994, staff from the neighbouring Highland Park distillery kept production alive between 1997 and 2004, running it for just a few months each year – in return, they were allowed to use Scapa's warehouses. Since late 2004, production has run at full capacity again.

Why did Scapa only get a permanent range in 2024?

For almost 140 years, Scapa had no permanent product line of its own – its malts went mostly into blends or appeared only as one-off bottlings. It was only in 2024 that the distillery introduced its very first permanent range, comprising 10, 16, and 21 year olds, showcasing its distinctive, barely peated style across three levels of maturity.

Overview of the most popular bottlings

1. Scapa 10 Year Old
The entry point into the new core range.
Taste: Refined and fruity with vanilla and a hint of sea air.
Serving suggestion: Neat, as an atypically mild island introduction.

2. Scapa 16 Year Old
The distillery's own recommended classic.
Taste: Honey and heather with soft sweetness.
Serving suggestion: For anyone wanting the house style in its purest form.

3. Scapa 21 Year Old
The oldest tier of the new core range.
Taste: Deepened fruit and vanilla with a long finish.
Serving suggestion: For special occasions.

Facts and figures

Address: St. Ola, Kirkwall, Orkney. Capacity: around 1.5 million litres a year, one wash still (13,500 l) and one spirit still (12,563 l). Water source: Lingo Burn. Owner: Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard).