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Despite its location in the Orkneys, Scapa Distillery has never had a peated whisky until now. Inspired by the remote location of the distillery, Scapa Glansa delivers a taste profile inspired by the natural contrasts of its home next to the Scapa Flow, one of Britain’s most historic stretches of water located in the Orkney Islands in the far north of Scotland.
Scapa malt whisky is crafted by just five dedicated artisans at one of the last remaining manually operated distilleries. Scapa Glansa is matured in 100% first-fill American Oak casks (all Scapa whisky is matured in such barrles), before being finished in peated casks to deliver depth and smokiness to the final expression.
The name Scapa Glansa is derived from the Old Norse for shining storm-laden skies, and is a celebration of the dramatic contrast between the sanctuary of the distillery’s historic location on Scapa Flow and the stormy seas and huge skies that surround it.
Characterised as ‘the honeyed smoky one’, Scapa Glansa is the latest expression released from Scapa this year. The first, Scapa Skiren, essentially replaced the previous Scapa 16 Year Old that heretofore had been the distillery’s standard bearer.
Scapa recently opened its distillery to the public for the first time since its launch in 1885, on the beautiful, wild and untameable Orkney mainland. Guided tours will show the craft of the Scapa artisans who use traditional methods and skills from milling to distillation, including use of one of the only working Lomond Wash Stills.
Scapa Master Distiller, Brian MacAulay says “It has been a real pleasure to bring out the dramatic contrasts of Orkney through Scapa Glansa. I have been associated with the distillery for over 20 years now, and looking over the calm waters of Scapa Flow it is often hard to believe that the Island is renowned for its stormy temperament and harsh seas. As Scapa’s first peated single malt, this long-standing Orcadian whisky, with fruity textures yet smoky finish, makes it the perfect representation of this island of contrasts”
Scapa Glansa will retail at an RRP $60 (travel retail), $64 (domestic) per 70cl, and be available in selected retailers from September 2016.
