Scapa IB vs OB


June 13, 2023

WF's Little Duos, today Scapa IB vs. OB!

I concede that we may have attributed several 'Secret Orkneys' to Highland Park when they were actually Scapa, especially the ones that were milder and gentler. But how could we have known? In any case, the two malts we are going to taste today are indeed Scapa, it's even written on the labels. Overall, I find that Scapa has become, let's say, unusual lately; it's a shame because G&M had some superb ones, for example... Speaking of G&M...
(Tripadvisor)

Scapa 17 yo 2005/2022 (55.3%, Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice for Kirsch Import, 1st fill bourbon, cask #486, 196 bottles)

Colour: White wine. Nose: By Jove, it seems we may have indeed attributed some secret Scapa to HP, as this is equally earthy and mineral, lemony, taut, waxy, and complex like the famous malt of Edrington's. There are even these admirable notes of heather honey, perhaps even white heather. Heather is fascinating, and heather honey even more so. With water: Ultra-precise, with heather, sweet woodruff, and limestone. Palate (undiluted): It's a bit more aggressive on the palate than on the nose, but it's rare to find lemon and limestone paired like this, except in the Aligotés from Domaine de Villaine. But we are far from Burgundy! Excellently taut, while still being enveloped by vanilla, honeysuckle, and a hint of coconut. With water: It really is a wine-malt. More honeyed notes this time. Finish: Medium-length, with citrus liqueurs and once again, limestone notes. A touch of pink rhubarb. Comments: It's very surprising, very beautiful, of great purity while being smooth. Perhaps with white asparagus? Well, let's not start playing the game of food and whisky pairings, we would never finish...
SGP: 551 - 88 points.

Scapa 19 yo 2003/2022 (56.7%, OB, exclusive to The Whisky Exchange)

As I may have suggested, these official Scapas have become scarce and sought-after, I believe we have to thank TWE, and perhaps Pernod for this one. Colour: Pale gold. Nose: What on earth is this smoke? Fir wood in a fireplace beyond the Arctic Circle? And then there's fennel, rhubarb, green banana, star anise, fresh agave, sandalwood, Armenian paper... It's all really unique, fresh, aromatic, delicate... And then these notes of Starkrimson apple and lime. What is this? With water: The smoke has disappeared, but there's still a hint of soot. The rest revolves around fresh apple. Palate (undiluted): Like G&M, a bit fresher, less honeyed, and slightly lighter. It's very beautiful. With water: More meadow honey and tender caramel. A bit of wood emerges, but no problem. Finish: Medium-length, with fudge and tea. Just tea. Comments: We want more Scapa! And while we're at it, let's rebuild a Stromness distillery!
SGP: 551 - 88 points.

Once again, it's impossible to differentiate between the two versions, although the G&M has maintained a minuscule lead throughout. It seems that both have been selected with exceptional care. Not by an AI, nor even simply by scrolling through a MS-Excel spreadsheet while drinking a cup of milk tea and smoking a... uh, a Benson & Hedges Classic Gold. Well, well.

Check the index of all Scapa we've tasted so far