Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
3:16 – Scapa 14 Nosing
4:21 – Scapa 14 Tasting
7:20 – Scapa 16 Nosing
9:35 – Scapa 16 Tasting
12:09 – Scapa 21 Nosing
13:51 – Scapa 21 Tasting
With the arrival of the new packaging for Scapa Single Malts, I decided to review the 16 & 21-year-olds for you. Of course, why not review the “Old Faithful” Scapa 14 while we’re at it? But first a short history of Scapa…
Scapa was founded in 1885 overlooking the calm historic “Scapa Flow”, Scapa is one of the northern most distilleries in Scotland, located in the Orkney Islands. Scapa distillery is a peaceful haven amidst untamed natural island beauty and the wild North Sea. Inspired by its tranquil surroundings, the deliberately unhurried making process of our manually operated distillery allows our makers to capture the soul of Orkney in every drop of whisky. It’s now owned by Pernod Ricard's Chivas group, who acquired it in 2005 following their purchase of previous owners Allied Domecq, who had spent 2.5 million (usd) on an extensive refurbishment the previous year. This saw the beginning of a new era of production at the distillery, which since 1997 had been run for only a few months of the year by Highland Park staff. The standard expression of Scapa under Allied was a 12-year-old, however as stocks ran low and refurbishment loomed it was discontinued and replaced in 2000 by the 14-year-old (shown in video). In 2008, the 14 year was dropped as Scapa relaunched once again, this time by Pernod, as a 16-year-old (in a tall bottle). Scapa was fitted with a Lomond still in the 1950s by then-owners Hiram Walker, but this is now used as a normal wash still with the rectifying plates removed. Most of the output from the distillery goes to the Ballantine's blend, but the launch of the 16yo in fancy packaging gives hope that this under-sung malt will receive more attention and support from the new owners.
Now let’s introduce the whiskies!
The old Scapa 14 was bottled at only 80 proof and retailed for $35-$45 when it was around (from 2000-2008). Currently, you can really only find it via secondary markets like auction houses priced around $200-$275. Like many 12 to 14-year-old whiskies from the early 2000’s, it was a very enjoyable dram that was easily found and moderately priced. It was a nice “breakfast malt” that you could drink anytime without worry of it overtaking your day since it was only 80 proof.
The new Scapa 16 (in shorter squattier bottle) is bottled at 96 proof and retail pricing varies. I’ve found it as low as $55 and as high as $130 – so shop around! It’s aged entirely in ex-bourbon barrels and is a part of their core line with a 10-year-old. Compared to the old 16 that it replaces, the proof has jumped up significantly from the 80 proof tall bottled version.
The new Scapa 21 (also in the new short squatty bottle) is bottled at a hefty 105.8 proof. Like the 16, the pricing has been wild, and I’ve seen it as low as $145 and as high as $330 – so shop around! Like the 16, it’s also aged entirely in ex-bourbon barrels, but is produced only once a year, non chill-filtered and released at cask strength.
As of March 2025, my current bottle count is over 3,000. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best American Rye” at the 2024 World Whisky Awards (Batch 4 arrived in Total Wines the last week of November)! But don’t forget that our other Bourbons have also won multiple big awards and are on Total Wine shelves now! Our Flagship Port & Cognac received a Double Platinum at Fred Minnick's 2024 Ascot Awards, and "The Herald” - our Armagnac finished Bourbon - took Double Gold at the Whiskies of the World competition! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know I’m working hard to continue bringing you great whiskeys that I'm proud of as a collector, reviewer & blender! Thank you for watching & please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!
Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
3:16 – Scapa 14 Nosing
4:21 – Scapa 14 Tasting
7:20 – Scapa 16 Nosing
9:35 – Scapa 16 Tasting
12:09 – Scapa 21 Nosing
13:51 – Scapa 21 Tasting
With the arrival of the new packaging for Scapa Single Malts, I decided to review the 16 & 21-year-olds for you. Of course, why not review the “Old Faithful” Scapa 14 while we’re at it? But first a short history of Scapa…
Scapa was founded in 1885 overlooking the calm historic “Scapa Flow”, Scapa is one of the northern most distilleries in Scotland, located in the Orkney Islands. Scapa distillery is a peaceful haven amidst untamed natural island beauty and the wild North Sea. Inspired by its tranquil surroundings, the deliberately unhurried making process of our manually operated distillery allows our makers to capture the soul of Orkney in every drop of whisky. It’s now owned by Pernod Ricard's Chivas group, who acquired it in 2005 following their purchase of previous owners Allied Domecq, who had spent 2.5 million (usd) on an extensive refurbishment the previous year. This saw the beginning of a new era of production at the distillery, which since 1997 had been run for only a few months of the year by Highland Park staff. The standard expression of Scapa under Allied was a 12-year-old, however as stocks ran low and refurbishment loomed it was discontinued and replaced in 2000 by the 14-year-old (shown in video). In 2008, the 14 year was dropped as Scapa relaunched once again, this time by Pernod, as a 16-year-old (in a tall bottle). Scapa was fitted with a Lomond still in the 1950s by then-owners Hiram Walker, but this is now used as a normal wash still with the rectifying plates removed. Most of the output from the distillery goes to the Ballantine's blend, but the launch of the 16yo in fancy packaging gives hope that this under-sung malt will receive more attention and support from the new owners.
Now let’s introduce the whiskies!
The old Scapa 14 was bottled at only 80 proof and retailed for $35-$45 when it was around (from 2000-2008). Currently, you can really only find it via secondary markets like auction houses priced around $200-$275. Like many 12 to 14-year-old whiskies from the early 2000’s, it was a very enjoyable dram that was easily found and moderately priced. It was a nice “breakfast malt” that you could drink anytime without worry of it overtaking your day since it was only 80 proof.
The new Scapa 16 (in shorter squattier bottle) is bottled at 96 proof and retail pricing varies. I’ve found it as low as $55 and as high as $130 – so shop around! It’s aged entirely in ex-bourbon barrels and is a part of their core line with a 10-year-old. Compared to the old 16 that it replaces, the proof has jumped up significantly from the 80 proof tall bottled version.
The new Scapa 21 (also in the new short squatty bottle) is bottled at a hefty 105.8 proof. Like the 16, the pricing has been wild, and I’ve seen it as low as $145 and as high as $330 – so shop around! Like the 16, it’s also aged entirely in ex-bourbon barrels, but is produced only once a year, non chill-filtered and released at cask strength.
As of March 2025, my current bottle count is over 3,000. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best American Rye” at the 2024 World Whisky Awards (Batch 4 arrived in Total Wines the last week of November)! But don’t forget that our other Bourbons have also won multiple big awards and are on Total Wine shelves now! Our Flagship Port & Cognac received a Double Platinum at Fred Minnick's 2024 Ascot Awards, and "The Herald” - our Armagnac finished Bourbon - took Double Gold at the Whiskies of the World competition! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know I’m working hard to continue bringing you great whiskeys that I'm proud of as a collector, reviewer & blender! Thank you for watching & please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!
